State of Priestly Vocations Report

Vocation Ministry, founded in 2015, has spent countless hours producing these reports to better understand the current state of vocations to the priesthood in the Catholic Church. The number of priests, ordinations, and seminarians is shrinking nationwide, so we set out to explore the answer to the question everyone asks, “Why aren’t there more priests?”

By exploring what trends rise to the surface as pivotal factors in vocation promotion, we made note of places where the Church is seeing success and identified areas that need re-evaluation. We hope that this information will guide bishops, priests, and laity in finding a path forward in creating fertile soil for vocations in an attempt to address the vocational health of the Church in America.

SOPV Press Kit

State of Priestly Vocations Data

Please fill out the form below to access the latest State of Priestly Vocations data and diocesan charts.

The data provides clear insights for each diocese, including:

Average number of seminarians and ordinations
Comparison of seminarians and ordinations to diocesan needs
Priestly Availability Index (PAI): Measures how accessible priests are for mentoring young people
Clear 10-year averages that show long-term diocesan trends

*By submitting this form, you agree to be added to our monthly newsletter distribution list if you are not already subscribed. You will receive vocation insights, resources, and updates, and you may unsubscribe at any time.

For full access to our findings, please submit your information.

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Previous Reports

Download a Digital Copy

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Please Support Our Mission

We believe it is vitally important for priests, bishops, and laity to understand the state of priestly vocations in the United States. With this knowledge, steps can be taken to increase prayer and promotion of vocations that will bear fruit for generations to come.

To that end, Vocation Ministry expended over 2,00 man-hours and in excess of $35,000 in compiling and analyzing the data in this report and in writing, presenting, and delivering it to you for FREE. If you have found our efforts informative, please consider donating to Vocation Ministry so we can continue and expand our mission to foster vocations.

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The Results of Continued Partnership



Stronger Parish Teams

Priests and parishioners continue growing together through renewed vision and encouragement



Growing Participation

More parishioners become engaged in fostering vocations throughout your diocese.



Data-Informed Decisions

Updated vocation data helps guide strategy and measure long-term progress.



Lasting Momentum

Continued coaching and formation keep your vocation efforts moving forward.

What Participants Are Saying

Priest from the Diocese of Amarillo, TX

“The best convocation we have had!”

Very Reverend Jay Peterson, Vicar General, Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Montana

“The workshop provided practical steps to address a pressing need in our diocese. The wide gamut of possibilities allows large and small parishes to DO something.”

Monsignor Paul Hudock, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, WV

“It was beneficial for our priests to be both challenged to promote parish vocation ministry and equipped with materials and ideas that they can pass on to their people.”

Fr. Raff Salvino, Canadian Vocation Director

"The “kick-in-the-rear” opener of no tolerance for complacency, but balanced with the assurance of hope, and strengthened throughout the event with numerous, inspiring, and REPLICABLE ideas that can be tailored to dioceses of any size. On that note, I also appreciated being grouped by tier which also inspired."

Fr. Francis Obijekwu, Diocese of Baker, OR

"These workshops create more awareness for me, knowing that the Vocation Director and his teams cannot do it alone. All hands must be on deck."

Fr. Ariel Durian, Diocese of Salt Lake City

"All the topics presented at the workshop are essential in promoting vocation, especially since all must be involved in nurturing vocations to the priesthood and religious/consecrated life."

Continue the Journey

Every diocese's next step looks different, but you don't have to journey alone.

Whether you're strengthening parish vocation ministry teams, expanding formation into Catholic schools, refreshing your vocation data, or seeking continued coaching, we're here to help you build on the foundation established during your Foundation Year.

Let's continue building a culture of vocations together.

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