Bishop Luis Zarama has often referred to the Diocese of Raleigh as “the best diocese in the world.” While those words are spoken with warmth and gratitude, they also point to a deeper truth: a vibrant diocese is not sustained by programs or buildings alone, but by faithful people committed to God’s work and to one another. Central to creating and maintaining such a place is the careful formation of young men who are discerning a call to the priesthood — future leaders who will serve God’s people in the Diocese of Raleigh.
Seminarians represent both the present hope and future strength of our diocese. Their years of formation are demanding, marked by rigorous academic study, deep spiritual growth, continued human integration into mature men, pastoral training, and ongoing discernment. Prayer for these men is not simply an act of kindness; it is an essential expression of our shared responsibility as members of the Church. By praying for seminarians, the faithful ask God to strengthen their vocations, guard their hearts against discouragement and temptation, and shape them into holy, joyful shepherds after the Heart of Christ. In doing so, we live out St. Paul’s call to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and actively participate in the renewal and mission of the Church in eastern North Carolina.
Pray by name
Seminarian prayer calendar (PDF)
One especially meaningful way to support seminarians is to pray for them by name. Naming a seminarian in prayer transforms general goodwill into personal accompaniment. It acknowledges that each man’s vocation is unique — formed by his background, his struggles, and the particular gifts God has entrusted to him. Just as Jesus called His disciples by name, this practice affirms each seminarian’s dignity and invites God’s grace into the specific circumstances of his journey. For seminarians who may experience moments of isolation during formation, knowing they are personally remembered by the faithful of the diocese can be a powerful source of encouragement and hope.
To foster this shared commitment, the Diocese of Raleigh is offering this seminarian prayer calendar (PDF), assigning each of our seminarians in our diocese to a specific day. This simple structure allows parishes, families, and individuals to pray together with intention and unity. What might begin as a brief daily prayer becomes part of a larger, diocesan-wide act of faith — one voice joined to many, asking the Lord to bless those preparing to serve His people.
“To help the Diocese of Raleigh to continue flourishing as 'the best diocese in the world,' it will be because we, as members of the Diocese of Raleigh, remain faithful to forming and supporting the future leaders of our Church,” said Father Michael Schuetz, director of Vocations. “Thank you for your prayerful support of seminarians and for helping to ensure that the priests of tomorrow are shaped not only by study and discipline, but by the loving intercession of the people they will one day serve."