VocationsME

On the eve of the ordination of Deacon Ezekiel Yisi and Deacon Evans Yongyee to the priesthood, the faithful gathered in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland to pray for the two young men and to pray for vocations. Bishop James Ruggieri presided over the Eucharistic Holy Hour and Solemn Vespers, and at the conclusion, he blessed the priestly vestments, chalices, and patens with which the newly ordained will be presented during the Rite of Ordination. The ordination Mass begins at 10 a.m. at the cathedral. To read more about the Holy Hour: https://portlanddiocese.org/news/holy-hour-deacons-yisi-yongyee

Congratulations to Deacon Ezekiel B. Yisi and Deacon Evans B. Yongyee on their graduation from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, each earning a bachelor's degree in sacred theology and a master's in divinity. Deacon Yisi and Deacon Yongyee will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. All are invited to attend the Mass and join in the celebration. Please continue to pray for them and all our seminarians.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to pray for these men and to pray for all those whom the Lord is calling to serve Him and the Church in this beautiful call to be a priest, especially here in the Diocese of Portland, Maine

REV RETREAT 2026
Let it be done to me according to your word.

What differentiates the diocesan priesthood from religious order priests? What makes marriage unique among all vocations?
Come to the 2026 REV Retreat and find out!

Young adults, high school and older are invited to a retreat for the Revitalization of the Eucharist and Vocations (REV) on May 16 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm in Brewer, Maine at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

This year's keynote speaker is Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR. Workshop leaders will include various religious groups and orders as well as a workshop on married life led by a Catholic couple and one by one of our own recently ordained priests, Fr. Erin Donlon.

For more details and to register: https://stpaulbangor.me/rev-retreat

Beginning this month, the Vocation's Office will be emailing those on our email list a bi-monthly Discernment Newsletter that'll offer some tid-bits for your spiritual journey. If you'd like to be included on these mailings, please email me at [email protected].

Calling all men 18 years of age and up to join Bishop Ruggieri, Fr. Brad Morin, Fr. Erin Donlon, and the seminarians of the Diocese for this Day of Retreat to see how God is calling you to grow into deeper relationship with Him and His Church. How is God calling you to serve Him in this life? Join us for this day. Please register by clicking the following link: https://portlanddiocese.net/gratitude-retreat

In the winter issue of Harvest magazine, Father Matthew Valles, parochial vicar of St. Paul the Apostle - Bangor, reflects on his first year as a priest, which he calls a "really beautiful adventure" and "the best year of my life." Describing it as a wonderful time of growth and learning, he says, “The more you know, the more you can love, the more you can believe, the more you can hope.” Read the story: https://harvestmagazinemaine.org/really-beautiful-adventure

The Diocese of Portland's Office of Vocations would like to invite young men to a day of discernment, reflection and fellowship. The Gratitude retreat will be held on December 27 at the newly renovated Newman Center in Orono. Our seminarians will share their stories of struggle and joy in their own discernment. The day will also include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, communal and personal prayer, time for conversation and mentorship, and the gift of fellowship with Bishop James Ruggieri as we enter the Christmas Season. For more information and to register, visit https://portlanddiocese.org/event/gratitude-vocations-discernment-retreat-orono

Prince of Peace Parish Maine invites all high-school age teens to Dwell, a one-day retreat designed to offer silence, reflection, and renewal. The retreat will be hosted at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston on Saturday, November 22 from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

Held on the Feast of St. Cecilia, the day includes talks, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and Mass celebrated by Bishop James Ruggieri. His keynote entitled "Withstand – Sent into the World," will close the evening.

For more info and to register, visit https://www.princeofpeace.me/dwell

Hundreds of people gathered at St. John Church in Bangor on Friday, August 29, to honor and express their gratitude to Msgr. Jean-Paul Labrie and Msgr. Frank Murray, who were granted the title of monsignor, with the rank of Chaplain to His Holiness, by Pope Francis, just days before he died. During a Mass held in their honor, the proclamations naming them monsignors were read and presented to them, and Bishop James Ruggieri offered a prayer of blessing. Msgr. Labrie is currently pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent, while Msgr. Murray is retired from active ministry. Such has been their impact on the faithful through the years that people traveled from across the diocese and beyond to attend the Mass and reception. Read more about the beautiful celebration: https://portlanddiocese.org/news/celebration-held-newly-named-monsignors