Why be a Priest?
Has your heart been pierced by the love of the Lord?
Priests bring God's love and grace to the world in a radical way. Through the sacraments and through preaching the Gospel, the priest stands as the corporal face of the Church, the face of Christ, supporting and caring for all He meets.
If you have a friendship with Jesus Christ, and wish to share His goodness with others; if you love the Catholic Church, and desire to help it flourish; if you value the gift of life, and desire to spend yours in service to an eternal cause, these desires can be fulfilled in a priestly vocation lived well.
“All priests need to look to Mary for the example, guidance and intercession necessary to attain that self-mastery in their own life that will help them to acquire the virtues of the good shepherd, guiding God’s people to the green pastures of His mercy, love and truth.”
– Archbishop Cordileone
Discerning the Call
“Only by his identity with the person of Jesus Christ will the priest exemplify the primacy of charity in his ministry of Word and Sacrament, and so fulfill the command given him at his ordination: ‘Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.’”
– Archbishop Cordileone
Next Steps
Events
Resources
For Priestly Discernment and Promotion
About the Priesthood
Discernment Reading List
USCCB Discernment Resources
Diocesan Priest Resources
Background photo: Prayitno (CC by 2.0), edited
Contact
The Archdiocese of San Francisco Vocation Office.

Vocation Director
One Peter Yorke Way
San Francisco, CA 94109
Meet the Vocation Team

Fr. Tom Martin

Fr. Andrew Ginter

Fr. Juan Manuel Lopez
Archdiocese of San Francisco