Vocations

A Call Worth Answering

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5) These words of God to the prophet Jeremiah echo in the heart of every person who senses a stirring — a quiet, persistent invitation to give oneself entirely to God and His people. The Diocese of Mysore warmly accompanies all who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life.

What is a Vocation?

A vocation is God's personal call to a particular state of life: marriage, the ordained ministry, or consecrated religious life. Discernment is the prayerful process of listening to this call in community, in prayer, and in conversation with a spiritual guide. The Church does not manufacture vocations; she recognises and nurtures what the Holy Spirit has already begun.

The Path to the Priesthood

Young men who sense a call to serve God as priests of the Diocese of Mysore are invited to begin a formal discernment process:

1. Initial contact — Speak with your parish priest or contact the Diocesan Vocations Director (details below).
2. Pre-seminary formation — A period of guided prayer, service, and study, usually one year, at a minor seminary or formation house.
3. Philosophy studies — Six years of combined philosophical and theological formation at a recognised pontifical seminary.
4. Diaconate and Priesthood — Ordination to the diaconate, followed by ordination to the priesthood by the Bishop of Mysore.

Candidates must be practising Catholics in good standing, unmarried, and between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of entry into the seminary. Academic qualifications equivalent to the Pre-University Certificate (PUC) are required.

Religious Life

The Diocese of Mysore is blessed with the presence of numerous religious congregations — both male and female — engaged in education, health care, social outreach, and contemplative prayer. If you feel drawn to religious life rather than diocesan priesthood, we encourage you to approach a congregation whose charism resonates with your own. The Vocations Director can help you discern which path may be right for you.

Signs of a Vocation

• A deep desire for prayer and union with God
• A love for the Eucharist and the sacraments
• A genuine concern for the spiritual and material welfare of others
• A willingness to live simply and in service
• Confirmation from trusted spiritual guides, family, and parish community

Contact the Vocations Director

For enquiries about priestly or religious vocations in the Diocese of Mysore, please write to:

Vocations Director
Bishop's House, Bannimantap 'C' Layout
Mysuru — 570 015, Karnataka, India
Email: vocations@dioceseofmysore.com

The Diocese of Mysore prays for all who are discerning their vocation. May the Lord who calls also sustain and guide you.