Chairman’s Message
Have You Witnessed a Vocation?
Dear Friends,
As we look toward an extraordinary week for the Church in America, I am filled with gratitude for the visible fruits of faith taking root right here in our own backyard.
This Thursday, September 24, marks a historic moment of celebration: the long-awaited beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Decades after his pioneering media ministry brought Christ into millions of homes, his legacy continues to remind us of the power of a bold and unapologetic proclamation of the Gospel.
Archbishop Sheen was also a passionate advocate for the renewal of the priesthood. It seems especially fitting that his beatification comes at a time when our own region is witnessing a remarkable flourishing of priestly vocations.
The Carolinas are experiencing a remarkable moment of growth in priestly formation. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the dioceses of Charlotte, Charleston and Raleigh together have approximately 130 men in priestly formation, according to diocesan vocation information and current enrollment figures.
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Diocese of Charlotte (NC): Charlotte is experiencing an extraordinary period of vocational growth, with roughly 50 men in formation. In May 2026, the diocese ordained 10 new priests—the largest priesthood ordination class in its history. The diocese also continues to benefit from the presence of St. Joseph College Seminary, which provides young men an opportunity to discern the priesthood while studying at Belmont Abbey College.
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Diocese of Charleston (SC): Charleston has nearly 40 seminarians preparing for priestly ministry for the coming academic year. The diocese has made priestly vocations a significant focus of its pastoral ministry and formation efforts.
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Diocese of Raleigh (NC): Raleigh also continues to maintain a strong and growing vocations program. The diocese recently gathered its seminarians for the beginning of the 2026–2027 formation year and has encouraged Catholics throughout the diocese to pray for these men by name.
The broader national picture puts this growth into perspective. A 2026 analysis of diocesan vocations found that 22 U.S. dioceses had 40 or more diocesan seminarians, based on data from the most recent Official Catholic Directory available for that analysis. Charlotte was among those dioceses with particularly strong numbers.
But numbers alone don't tell the whole story.
Behind every seminarian is a young man responding to God's call. Behind every vocation are parents, families, priests, parishes, teachers, mentors—and countless people quietly praying for vocations.
And this is where I'd like to hear from you.
Have you ever witnessed a young man beginning to discern a vocation to the priesthood? Perhaps you knew him as a student, an altar server, a parishioner, a friend—or even as a young man in your own family. Maybe you watched him take those first steps toward seminary and eventually become a priest.
We'd love to hear your story.
Send us a note and tell us about the seminarian or priest whose vocation you've had the privilege of witnessing. Your story may encourage another young man—or another family—to recognize God's call.
As Venerable Fulton Sheen is raised to the altars this Thursday, let us carry his passion for Christ and the priesthood forward. Please join me in keeping these Carolina seminarians in your daily prayers, that they may grow into courageous and holy shepherds who will bring Christ to His people.
And perhaps most importantly, let us pray that God will continue to call young men from our own families and communities to hear and answer that call.
Thank you for your prayers, your steadfast support, and your commitment to the mission of Carolina Catholic.
Warm regards,
David M. Papandrea, OFS
Chairman & Founder
Carolina Catholic Media
