• Exploring Priesthood Weekend
  • The retreat to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussions, presentations of diocesan priesthood and group interaction, men begin to better understand God’s movement in their life. (College age and professional aged men)
• Insearch
  • A two phase, six-month program (October – April) for college and post-college men with a serious interest in diocesan priesthood. Meetings are held every week in the evenings at the Bishop Quarter House in downtown Chicago, which provides men with the opportunity to continually engage the question about priesthood.
• Samuel Group (For Men and Women)
  • Do you ever wonder how to make a good decision according to God’s will? Join us for a discernment group specifically geared toward young adults (ages 19–35). Here you will discuss all kinds of discernment—if you are called to consecrated life, married life or single life, to a certain career 0r city, and more. The goal of this group is to help you, and in some cases your significant other, know yourself, Jesus and your role within the Church.
  • These discernment groups will take place monthly over the course of seven months. At each session, you will listen to talks, have time for small group sharing, and have the opportunity for Mass, Confession and Adoration. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with a spiritual director while doing this course.
• Totus Tuus - Missionary Training (For College-aged Men and Women)
  • The Totus Tuus program aims to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. Through evangelization and catechesis, Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to the sacrifices and blessings of the various Christian vocations.
  • Campers Day program: 1st – 6th graders
  • Night program: 7th – 12th graders

• Vianney Visit
  • The Vianney Visit provides high school sophomores through college age men (ages 16 – 24) the opportunity to take a closer look and experience college seminary.
  • Attend Mass, prayer and spiritual conferences with SJV priests and hear testimonies from SJV seminarians. There is no charge for the event. All meals are provided.
• Quigley Discerners
  • Join a brotherhood of high school men learning about Jesus, the Church, and the priesthood through prayer, discussion, and activities. In fraternity, we can help discover and guide you to the plan Jesus has for you.
• Quo Vadis Days Camp
  • Quo Vadis Days are a 4 day/3 night camp sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago Vocations Office and in collaboration with the Diocese of Joliet Vocation Office. This unique engaging event is 100% seminarian led. This retreat is open to all 13 – 18 year old young men who want to learn more about the priesthood. Those attending will have a life changing encounter with Christ while having the time of their life.
• Who Will Fill These Shoes?
  • Fr. Vic Ivers, a priest from the Archdiocese of Chicago who was deeply rooted in the faith passed away on January 18, 2014 at the age of 95. At St. Joseph in Libertyville, during concluding his final mass, he stopped, took off his shoes, laid them in front of the altar and said, “so now who will fill these shoes?” Then he processed out, leaving the shoes behind with an open question that was directed then and still for today. 
    Who Will Fill These Shoes? has then been celebrated in our Archdiocese and other diocese ever since.

• Andrew Dinner
  • Vicariate led dinners to allow local discerners time with the priests and seminarians from their community and their Bishop. (Discerning young men: high school, college and young professional aged men)
• Alter Server Events
  • A day to honor and appreciate our dedicated Altar Servers. Each Vicariate conducts this special mass followed by dinner and fun. Check with your Vicariate Office for your planned event. (All active Altar Serving Boys and Girls through 12th grade)

Contact Father Timothy Monahan, vocation director, at 312.534.8298 or [email protected] to speak about your thoughts and your calling. Speaking with a priest you admire is an important part of the vocation process, so please feel free to contact any of the men listed on our contact us page.