Patron Saint
Saint John Paul II (Feast Day: October 22) Patron of Shepherding Future Shepherds
Saint John Paul II (1920–2005), born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland, served as pope from 1978 to 2005. He was a philosopher, playwright, athlete, and priest—shaped by the suffering of World War II and communist oppression. He discerned his vocation in secret under Nazi occupation and was ordained in 1946.
As pope, he traveled to more countries than any of his predecessors, reaching over a billion Catholics. He emphasized the universal call to holiness, the dignity of human life, and the unique vocation of the priesthood. He founded World Youth Day, introduced the Church to his Theology of the Body, and canonized more saints than any of his predecessors, offering modern models of holiness. His personal holiness, courage, and love for young people made him a father to a generation. He was canonized a saint in 2014.
Why we chose him
Saint John Paul II is the ideal patron for Shepherding Future Shepherds because he saw in the priesthood a heroic path of self-gift and spiritual fatherhood. His papacy was marked by tireless advocacy for vocations—calling families, parishes, and seminaries to form young men in the image of Christ the Good Shepherd.
In 1992, he issued Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Will Give You Shepherds) following the Synod (1990) on priestly formation, giving the Church one of the most profound and practical roadmaps for cultivating holy priests.
The priest should be a man of God, the one who belongs to God and makes people think of God.—Pastores Dabo Vobis
He taught that priests are vital not only for the Church but for the world—reminding us that the Church evangelizes through the witness of joyful, faithful men who bring Christ to others.
The world looks to the priest because it looks to Jesus.—Letter to Priests, Holy Thursday 1979
Seeking to meet a spiritual crisis with bold action
The International Institute for Culture, which launched Shepherding Future Shepherds, was founded in direct response to Saint John Paul II’s call to re-evangelize culture. His legacy lives on in our mission to renew confidence in the priesthood and raise up the next generation of holy shepherds.
Prayer for Vocations
Saint John Paul II, holy shepherd and friend of priests, you led the Church with courage and inspired a new generation to say yes to Christ. Pray for us as we work to renew confidence in the priesthood. Inspire young men to hear God’s call and follow with joy. Guide our mission to raise up holy shepherds for the Church today and tomorrow. Amen