CHARLOTTE — The number of men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Charlotte has tripled in the past decade, creating a greater need for funding to support our 45 seminarians.
The Seminarian Education Collection, taken up in all parishes the weekend of Nov. 1-2, is one of the primary ways people can support seminarians and foster vocations to help meet the increasing need for priests to serve the growing Catholic population.
As seminarian Deacon Bryan Ilagor notes, “One cannot do this alone. Prayer and financial support are crucial, as they benefit both us and the families we serve now and in future generations to come from our ministry.”
There has been remarkable growth in the diocese: a 19% increase, from 69,000 registered households a decade ago to 82,000 in 2025. By 2030, diocesan officials project that the number of registered households will be close to 100,000. Since 2015, 34 men have been ordained to the priesthood. Meanwhile, 28 priests have retired from ministry, seven priests are serving beyond the retirement age of 70, and in the next 10 years, another 27 priests are expected to reach retirement age.
“We are deeply blessed with the many dedicated and faith-filled seminarians who are currently discerning a vocation to the priesthood,” said Bishop Michael Martin in his letter to the faithful about the special collection. “This is both a blessing and a challenge with the need to educate, nurture and form our future priests.”
“For the past 28 years, the Seminarian Education Campaign has given faithful Catholics the opportunity to invest in the lives and ministry of our future priests,” the bishop wrote.“Your financial gift will help prepare each of our young men to serve as priests in our diocese for an average of 40 years.”
“By contributing to the formation of our future priests,” he noted, “you are helping to ensure that the sacraments, spiritual guidance and the light of Christ continue to reach every corner of our growing diocese.”
The Seminarian Education Program supports the 23 men who are currently enrolled at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly and 20 men who are either enrolled in major seminary at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary or in Rome. Two are in a pastoral year.
The Seminarian Education Program is primarily funded through the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, the Seminarian Education Campaign and this special collection.
— Catholic News Herald
Support seminarian education
There are several ways to make a gift to fund the education of the diocese’s seminarians through the Seminarian Education Collection:
- Use the envelope provided in your parish offertory packet
- Make a gift online at your parish’s website, if available
- Make a secure gift online at www.charlottediocese.org/donate