Sacraments

Holy Orders

The Paulists seek to meet the contemporary culture on its own terms, to present the Gospel message in ways that are compelling but not diluted, so that the fullness of the Catholic faith may lead others to find Christ's deep peace and "unreachable quietness." Paulists do not condemn culture, nor do they try to conform the Gospel to it. Rather, we preach the Gospel in new ways and in new forms, so that the deep spiritual longings of the culture might find fulfillment in Jesus Christ. To this end, Paulists use printing presses, movie cameras, and the Internet to give voice to the words of Christ - the Word Himself - to a new generation of Americans.

The Vision Of The Paulist Founder:

The founder of the Paulists, Isaac Hecker, was a spiritual seeker, a wandering soul. He lived for a time in Transcendentalist utopian communities where he consulted the leading thinkers of his day. Though a seeker, he became a man of conviction: once he found the truth in the Catholic Church, he gave his whole life to it. His only desire was to proclaim the truth to others so that they too could find their true selves as North American Catholics.

The Spirit At Work:

Today our Paulist family grows, joined by Associates and lay collaborators in foundations throughout North America. The vision of Hecker – through our hearts and voices – is at work in the Spirit to seek out those who desire healing and reconciliation, work toward Christian unity and dialogue with faiths outside our tradition in parishes, on the campus, through video and publishing We Give the Word A Voice!

Becoming A Paulist:

To answer the call to the priesthood is to begin a lifelong journey. It is a process that happens on many levels: responding to God's grace, acquiring a habit of prayer and reflection, and learning theology and other skills required to become an effective priest in a complex world. How does someone prepare for Paulist life? The program is comprised of an Initiation, Integration and Pastoral Internship. No program can guarantee a vocation, but the Paulist formation program is designed to help men discern the mystery of God's grace and calling revealed through dialogue, growth, responsibilities, and service. Please visit www.paulist.org for more information the Paulist formation program.  If you are interested in becoming a Paulist, please email our Director of Vocations, Fr. Dave Farnum, CSP at dfarnum@paulist.org

Commitment:

At the beginning of his final year of theology, he makes a lifelong commitment to the Paulist community by making his final promise. Shortly after his commitment, he is ordained a deacon. After one more year, he is eligible to be ordained a priest. With the support of his Paulist Community and the personal resources he has acquired in the period of formation, and by the indispensable grace of Christ, the new priest reaches out to this world, contributing to the reality of Father Hecker's dream—a bright and glorious future for the Church.

Dat Q. Tran makes his lifelong final promises with the Paulist Fathers.