This month’s Catholic Spirit is devoted to vocations to the priesthood. Thanks be to God, we will ordain five new priests in June, and the Diocese of Austin has about 60 men currently in formation. However, it is no secret that our priests are aging, and many will retire within the next several years.

As Father Greg Gerhart writes in his message on pages 4-5, our current number of seminarians is testament to God’s faithfulness and to the power of our prayers for vocations over the last several years. Let us continue to pray for these men and for more to be open to the Lord’s call to the priesthood. Let us also continue to pray for more deacons and religious sisters and brothers.

May we all be open to God’s call!