A gathering will take place on Sunday 25th January from 2pm to 5pm in the Presbytery, Dublin Road, Carlow for men interested in learning more about the path to priesthood in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin.  The Presbytery is located opposite St. Leo’s Convent/Secondary School, and the entrance to the Presbytery is directly across the road from the gates of the Mercy Convent.

For more information please contact Fr. Ruairi o Domhnaill, Tel:  045 434069 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Diocese's website can be found here;

A Seminarian recently reflecting on how came to be in Seminary said that when he first approached his Vocations Director, “He said, ‘Your timing is perfect,’ because the next month was the ‘Come and See Weekend,’” Jim recalled “He said, ‘I’ll be happy to take you to that.’”

“For me, it had a huge impact,” Jim said of the program. “I found that there were other men that were my age, and older, interested as well.  “It also gave me the comfort of knowing that I wasn’t alone in my discernment.”  And it enabled him to meet the bishop in person and ask questions about the priesthood, such as, “How does one know if he is called?”  He said the bishop advised him: “If the doors keep opening, just go through them.”  About a year later, the future priest began the application process and will be ordained, please God in 2009.

One of the values of “Come and See” is that it helps start the discernment process, Jim said. “A lot of times, if someone feels called to the priesthood, they have to pray about it…but this gives them advice and structure to that…and allows the Church to go on the journey as well.”

Prayer to know my vocation

My Lord and my God,
you are Love itself, the source of all love and goodness.

Out of love you created me to know you, to love you,
and to serve you in a unique way, as no one else can.
I believe that you have a plan for my life,
that you have a mission in your Kingdom reserved for me alone.

Lord grant me the light of grace I need to see the next step in Your plan;
grant me the generosity necessary to follow your call;
and grant me the courage required to take up my cross and to follow you.

Show me your will, O gentle and eternal God, and help me to say with Mary,
“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Let me say with Jesus, “Let not my will be done, but yours.”
Amen