Endorsements

It is the privilege and joy of my life to be a priest, and it is a beautiful way to live. The priesthood is a great adventure, a journey that a man walks in friendship with Jesus Christ.

When a man is ordained, he gives his life to Jesus and in turn, Jesus gives him a new identity and a sacred purpose — to be the instrument through which His love and salvation continues in the world.

The priest alone is given the power to speak His words of forgiveness. Only into the priest’s hands does Jesus come again to offer His Body and Blood for the life of the world, and to feed us with the Bread of immortality.

Jesus is still calling men to this great adventure of being His priests!

Shepherding Future Shepherds is a creative new initiative that promises to enable many more men to hear and follow this beautiful call of Jesus. I commend this initiative and I pray that it will flourish!

Young men today are called to be shepherds but sometimes do not hear the divine call amid the noise and confusion of modern life.

Shepherding Future Shepherds is confronting that crisis directly—offering encouragement, clarity, and the hopeful witness of faithful priests. St. Carlos Acutis would be proud of this innovative new effort to use modern communications methods to help cultivate the vocations the Church so desperately needs, providing the heroic stories, resources, and mentorship they need to say yes to God’s call.

In today’s world, it is not enough to simply ‘wish’ for more priestly vocations.

We must take concrete and intentional steps. It is heartening to see programs like Shepherding Future Shepherds doing exactly that. They are actively building a culture that invites and encourages men to thoughtfully discern the beautiful and vital vocation of the priesthood. Helping men hear the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calling them to follow Him as priests is needed now more than ever. I wholeheartedly support these efforts and invite others to learn more, offer their prayers, and join in this mission and ministry.

Real vocational fruit grows in a community rooted in prayer, accompaniment, and faithful witness.

It is within this soil that men come to know the voice of the Lord and find the courage to respond with generosity. The priesthood remains a sacred gift, not simply for the individual who is called, but for the whole Church, for it is through the priest that Christ becomes present in Word and Sacrament. The Shepherding Future Shepherds program fosters this vital environment by aiding the work of vocation directors and inviting the faithful to take part in the sacred task of cultivating vocations.

I am also grateful that this initiative not only promotes vocations through faithful witness, but also uses the latest tools and technology to reach hearts and minds in today’s world. May it continue to awaken young men to the call of Christ and renew the priesthood for the life and mission of the Church.

The Catholic priesthood is a participation in the unique priesthood of Jesus Christ, who offered himself to the Father for the salvation of the world.

It is rooted in apostolic succession, belongs to the divine constitution of the Church, and cannot be reduced to a merely functional service that can be adapted to the spirit of the age. Through the ordained priest, Christ himself teaches, sanctifies and governs his people, above all in the Holy Eucharist and in sacramental reconciliation. Where the priesthood is weakened in esteem or misunderstood, the Church herself is weakened.

For this reason I welcome the initiative Shepherding Future Shepherds, which seeks to strengthen confidence in the priestly vocation, to present credible examples of good and faithful priests, and to invite the faithful to pray and work for new vocations. Such a work is in harmony with the perennial teaching of the Church on Holy Orders and with the pastoral concern of bishops who know that the People of God need priests who live from the truth of the Gospel. I encourage the lay faithful, especially those who wish to offer their prayerful or practical support, to sustain this apostolate, and I invite vocation directors to collaborate with it so that many young men may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the service of his Church.

I commend the International Institute for Culture and their initiative.

Bishops get a lot of complaint letters. It’s nice to hear good news about priests, their selfless service, and their heroic work of ministry, which is inspiring to so many. Good deeds don’t often make headlines, but the ThankAPriest.com initiative, which helps tell these stories, is vital in promoting vocations and building a culture of vocations, which is so necessary for the Church today.

I applaud the International Institute for Culture in their efforts to support the many faithful priests who, day in and day out, serve the Lord and his Church with great zeal and love.

A good priest will never exalt himself, but when others give testimony to his goodness, it benefits the whole Church. Just as we are edified when a married couple faithfully live out their wedding vows, so are we inspired when we see a priest who has given his heart to Christ.

Our secular culture continues to distract from the blessings that come from serving God’s Holy Church as a priest.

As Bishop, and former Seminary Rector, I commend the International Institute for Culture on its new program Shepherding Future Shepherds and its ThankAPriest.com Initiative, which seeks to inspire more young men to explore the call to the priesthood. Endeavors such as these demonstrate to the secular culture what we as Catholics already know – that our priests are courageous, holy, selfless individuals who put service to Christ, His Church, and their communities above all.

This Program is sure to offer a needed boost for the vocation efforts of dioceses across the United States. I am convinced that God’s call to the priesthood is still present in our communities. Through programs like this, I pray that more young men will hear and respond to the invitation to serve Christ and His Church.

I applaud the International Institute for Culture on their ThankAPriest.com efforts.

The priesthood is essential to the life of the Church because it is through the clergy that the faithful experience Christ in the breaking of the bread, the “source and summit” of Christian life. Our Lord continues to invite worthy men to the priesthood, and it is the responsibility of the Church to encourage this calling. Let us pray that this new initiative opens hearts and minds to the many blessings and true joy that come from priestly life.

From the beginning of my ministry as Bishop of Allentown, I have emphasized the importance of building a culture that values and encourages vocations.

This begins in the family and extends into every aspect of Catholic life. When our homes, parishes, and schools become places of prayerful encouragement and faithful example, we make it possible for the voice of God to be heard.

It is my pleasure to offer my support for Shepherding Future Shepherds. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to building up the Church by encouraging young men to consider the call to the priesthood. In every generation, the Lord continues to call men to serve Him and His people as spiritual fathers. It is our sacred responsibility to help them hear and respond to that call.

May this program bear abundant fruit in the life of the Church, and may the men who are called respond with generous and joyful hearts.

To the young men wondering what God wants of you. Do not doubt for a moment that God has a plan for your life.

That call may come in silence, in prayer, or in the gentle prompting of someone who asks, have you ever thought about the priesthood? Too many young men say, no one ever asked me about it. That needs to change.

As members of the church, we all share the responsibility to help raise up future priests. Each of us is called to be a ‘vocation director’ in our own way. Whether as pastors, priests, parents, teachers, or friends, let us do our part. If you think someone could be called to the priesthood, ask them about it. And please pray for vocations. Every mass I say in every parish, I pray for vocations to the priesthood.

I’m grateful for the Shepherding Future Shepherds ministry. It creates space for the invitation to be heard through stories, prayer, and encouragement. It reminds young men that the call to the priesthood is real and that the Church needs them. I pray this program will bear much fruit for the Church.

I am grateful for the International Institute for Culture’s ThankAPriest.com project and unreservedly encourage their good work.

While “man bites dog” is what often makes the news, the daily, often unnoticed life and ministry of priests is what truly impacts the lives of countless people. Thank you for helping shine a light on the gift of the priesthood. It truly is an extraordinary life.

I most enthusiastically endorse the IIC initiative to promote vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, especially through its Shepherding Future Shepherds program.

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Many vocations come from the ranks of our military and the families who support them. Military service fosters a deep sense of duty, sacrifice, and a desire to serve something greater than oneself—all qualities that naturally align with a call to the priesthood. We need to encourage people to pray about it—you never know when you might plant a seed that others may water.

We need to begin a true crusade for vocations—imploring God for vocations to the priesthood, and they will come.

The renewal of priestly vocations will come through prayer, fidelity, and authentic witness. The International Institute for Culture’s Shepherding Future Shepherds initiative embraces this truth. By encouraging devotion, reverence for the sacred, and deep gratitude for the gift of the priesthood, it lays the spiritual foundation for hearts to be opened to God’s call.

I wholeheartedly commend the International Institute for Culture for this apostolic work. May it inspire many to pray, to listen, and to respond with generous hearts to the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Gratitude is the debt we owe to priests who provide us with spiritual support.

Priests give their lives to Christ and His Church. Day by day they expend their time and energy to preach God’s Word and administer the sacraments. The International Institute for Culture’s ThankAPriest campaign is a most welcome initiative that reminds us to show gratitude for what we receive from Christ’s ordained servants who guide us on the path to Heaven.

As someone who has served both in the operating room and on the battlefield, I’ve seen how young people are hungry for a mission greater than themselves.

The Shepherding Future Shepherds program helps young men realize that the priesthood is the ultimate mission—one of healing, sacrifice, and bringing souls to Christ. I wholeheartedly support this initiative, especially in a time when the Church needs courageous and joy-filled priests more than ever. May we never stop praying for vocations, and may we never underestimate the power of one faithful ‘yes.’

We Catholics are blessed by our clergy in a vast range of ways.

They celebrate mass for us. They hear our confessions. They baptize and confirm our children. They witness and preside at our weddings. They give us last rites. They bury our dead and comfort us in our grief. They counsel us and our children. They come to our assistance when we need them, no matter why we need them—day or night. We count on their support, and know we can count on their support, no matter what. They serve us selflessly. And yet, how often do we thank our priests? Not often enough!

That’s why I heartily support ThankAPriest.com. If there were ever an initiative that all Catholics can get behind, this is it.

A healthy society depends upon institutions that form persons in truth, responsibility, and a sense of the common good.

The Church plays a unique role in this task, calling each generation to the Great Commission that Jesus gave his disciples to transform the world in a Christian spirit.

At a time when many young men are searching for lives of meaning and purpose, the priesthood remains a vital and often overlooked path of service and leadership. Today more than ever, it is essential that this vocation be presented with clarity, credibility, and encouragement.

By elevating the witness of faithful priests and creating pathways for discernment, Shepherding Future Shepherds is responding to this need for a new generation of inspired and inspiring leaders for the Church, their communities and society as a whole.

I am grateful for this initiative and encourage those who are able to support Shepherding Future Shepherds in its important mission.

Catholics need priests who are willing to provide strong moral leadership, especially on difficult issues.

This is particularly true on the issue of abortion and the defense of innocent human life. When priests speak clearly and passionately about the sanctity of all human life, they help Catholics better understand the Church’s teaching and why that teaching matters for families, communities, and the common good.

Shepherding Future Shepherds is a timely and valuable initiative because it presents the priesthood as a life of service, conviction, and moral leadership. By sharing strong examples of faithful priests and offering resources for discernment, it can help inspire young men to consider the priesthood and encourage the next generation of strong Catholic shepherds.

In my experience producing films, I have seen how powerful stories can be in stirring the soul and calling people to something greater.

Storytelling can be more than entertainment; it can be a spiritual tool. It can help us remember who we are and what we are called to be. That is why I believe in Shepherding Future Shepherds. This initiative does not just talk about vocations to the priesthood and religious life; it shows them. Through its programming, we see real priests and women religious, such as Mother Cabrini, living out their calling with courage, joy, and sacrifice.

These stories are not fiction; they are testimonies. And like any great film, they have the power to move hearts, change minds, and awaken purpose. If you want to inspire the next generation to consider the priesthood or religious life, this is exactly the kind of work we need to be supporting.

Our priests carry out an extraordinary mission—often quietly and humbly—in service to the Church and the people of God.

They do so much for us, often without receiving a lot of gratitude. Sharing stories of their witness and impact is a meaningful way to show our appreciation and inspire vocations to the priesthood. The Shepherding Future Shepherds initiative is a welcome contribution to the life of the Church.

We are focused on vocations because without priests, we don’t have the Eucharist, and without the Eucharist, we don’t have the Church.

What I love about Shepherding Future Shepherds is that it puts the witness of priests front and center. Young men need to see that the priesthood is not only essential, but joyful and deeply fulfilling. I am grateful for this program, as I pray that it will bear great fruit for the Kingdom.

Young men discerning the priesthood today face a convergence of emotional, spiritual, relational, and cultural challenges.

Shepherding Future Shepherds meets these men with encouragement, accompaniment, and faithful prayer, helping them listen for the Lord’s voice with confidence and peace. I am grateful for this mission – the Church needs it now more than ever.

Our culture is in desperate need of leaders. Men who are grounded in truth, formed in virtue, and ready to serve.

We need strong fathers in our homes and holy spiritual fathers in our churches. We need priests who are willing to lay down their lives in service to others. At a time when so many young men are struggling to find purpose, Shepherding Future Shepherds is doing critical work: restoring confidence in the priesthood, lifting up this heroic vocation, and inspiring the next generation to hear and answer God’s call.

One of the best ways to renew the Church and rebuild our culture is by starting in our homes. That means raising children in the faith, forming them in virtue, and helping them discern their place in God’s plan, whether that’s the priesthood, family life, or any path of faithful service in the Church. We should be creating a culture in our families and parishes that supports young people in becoming the leaders and shepherds we need.

I’m proud to support Shepherding Future Shepherds. It’s efforts like this that will help raise up the faithful leaders our Church and our world so desperately need.

I hear from Catholics all the time who love their priests and want to know how to support them.

ThankAPriest.com‘s a wonderful way to remind our priests, and the rest of the world, how immensely grateful we are for all they do.

I rejoice at this wonderful initiative, which will help many future shepherds answer the call to the priesthood.

We need priests. We need holy priests—men of fidelity, humility, and courage.

I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. John Haas for decades, a man whose unwavering fidelity to the Church and deep love of Catholic culture have borne much fruit through the work of the International Institute for Culture (IIC). It is profoundly heartening to see the IIC advancing this noble and timely effort.

I pray and believe that Shepherding Future Shepherds will do great things to help the Church meet the urgent need for faithful priests.