Spring Newsletter 2024

A Tradition of Religious Vocations

Did You Know? Over the past 100 years, our ministry has been a rich source of vocations to the religious life.

My discernment began at the Catholic Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech. I came to Tech anticipating getting the typical 4-year engineering degree and graduating with a job lined up, but the Lord had different plans for me. I quickly realized that I was surrounded by such an amazing community that was so centered on Christ in the Eucharist. I began attending daily Mass, Adoration, and community events at the ministry. A few of us Catholic Hokie men also met regularly with a discernment group to figure out where God is calling us in life. by Eric Hassenbein Class of 2024 Answering the Call

22

Priests

2

Consecrated Lay Men

8

I was asked to serve on our Servant Leader Team as the Liturgy Minister, and I got to see what it looks like working for the Church. Through all of these experiences in the community, I began to hear and see the Lord calling me to discern the possibility of entering the priesthood. If it was not for the support of the ministry and my opportunities to grow closer to the Lord through the sacraments and community at Virginia Tech, I would have missed the Lord calling me to serve His Church. While I still earned the engineering degree I came here for, I will not be using it for a company; rather, God-willing, I will be using it for the salvation of souls as God calls me to the sacrament of Holy Orders. Your support has made it possible for me to hear the voice of God and to discern my vocation to the priesthood! This upcoming fall, I will be entering seminary for priestly formation for the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey. This is only possible because of the Campus Ministry I was blessed to be a part of and your support towards the ministry. God-willing, with your continued support and prayers, our campus ministry will send many more men to the sacrament of Holy Orders to serve in your parishes!

Seminarians

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Religious Sister