CALLED. FORMED. SENT.
The men preparing to shepherd the Church of Mississippi Every priestly vocation begins with a call. For some, that call comes quietly, growing over years. For others, it arrives unexpectedly – in a chapel, at Mass, from a Newman Center, during a retreat or through the witness of another priest. For still others, it begins simply as a persistent desire that refuses to go away. But a call to the priesthood is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning. Today, the Diocese of Jackson is witnessing a growing number of men responding to that invitation. After years of having approximately six seminarians in formation, the Diocese is now working toward an ambitious goal: 33 seminarians by 2030. Behind that number are real men with different stories, different backgrounds and different gifts – but one shared desire: to discover God's will and, if called, give their lives in service to His Church. Through the United In Mission Capital Campaign, the diocese is making a $10 million investment in that future through a Permanent Seminarian Education Endowment. The goal is not simply to fund seminarians. It is to help form the shepherds who will one day serve Mississippi's Catholic families, parishes and communities.
CALLED.
DID YOU KNOW?
6
Approximate number of seminarians in formation each year for the past decade.
Every vocation begins with a "yes."
I knew God was calling me to the priesthood when I felt a huge desire to consecrate and give Communion.
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During a homily, my pastor reminded us that the Church needs priests. I began to pray – and my desire gradually changed.
– Henry Haley
Number of seminarians in formation for the Diocese of Jackson in 2026.
33
Our Goal! Thirty-three seminarians by the year 2030 for the Diocese of Jackson.
The first stirring I felt toward the priesthood came on a youth retreat at Steubenville. Father Mike Schmitz brought the Eucharist before me, and as I looked at Jesus face to face, I prayed the truest prayer I had ever prayed: ‘Thy will be done.’
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– James Villaseñor
12
– Grayson Foley
CALLED.
Every vocation begins with a "yes."
Discernment does not require having every answer at the beginning. It begins with openness – a willingness to listen for God’s call and follow him one step at a time.
At times I’ve been temped to leave. But Jesus’ words ‘To whom shall we go, Lord?’ keeps me anchored. The answer is increasingly clear – nowhere else.
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– EJ Martin
I was raised Methodist and considered seminary, but my journey led to the Catholic Church and my call to priesthood took shape.
– Josh Statham
A vocation is personal – but it is never lived alone.
FORMED.
A call must be tested, strengthened and formed.
Answering God’s call does not mean immediately becoming a priest. It means entering a process of formation designed to shape the whole person – spiritually, intellectually, pastorally and humanly. For the seminarians of the Diocese of Jackson, that means a daily – Joe Pearson rhythm that can look very different from the lives they once knew. A typical day begins around 5:15 a.m. with a Holy Hour, Morning Prayer and Mass. Classes follow, along with study, exercise, community prayer and the rest of the responsibilities of seminary life. These young men balance classes and prayer with sports and time with friends. The details vary day to day. The purpose does not. Seminary formation is teaching these men not simply how to become priests, but how to become holy men who can give themselves to the people of God. Father Nick emphasizes that strong formation is essential because priesthood is more than a desire to help people. “These men are being called to be spouses ... of the Church,” he explains, comparing the priest’s vocation to the self-giving love of a husband and father. That requires formation. It requires prayer, study, spiritual direction, pastoral experience, fraternity and a willingness to be challenged and changed.
God works through every part of priestly formation, especially moments of difficulty. These challenges teach us to trust where he is leading and allow his strength to shine through our weakness.
Father Nick Adam, diocesan vocation director, and Father Tristan Stovall, assistant vocation director, accompany men discerning God’s call. Their ministry reflects a central truth: Vocations grow through relationships. Father Nick knows this firsthand. Returning to Mass after college, he nervously entered St. Patrick Parish in Meridian and found welcome, belonging and his first clear desire to become a priest. “We need to cultivate relationships with the young Church,” he says. Friendship with Jesus is at the heart of Catholic life – and often where a vocation begins. Father Tristan’s advice to men discerning is simple: Pay attention to the desire. You do not need every answer. You only need to be willing to ask God.
A Day in the Life of a Seminarian
5:15 AM Prayer & Holy Hour
6:30 AM Mass
8:00 AM Classes
12:00 PM Study & Personal Prayer
2:30 PM Pastoral Formation
5:30 PM Community & Fellowship
8:00 PM Evening Prayer & Reflection
Meet the Men Please keep our seminarians in your prayers.
Grayson Foley
St. Richard, Jackson Third Configuration
James Villaseñor
St. Therese, Jackson Second Discipleship
EJ Martin
Joe Pearson
St. Richard, Jackson Third Configuration
St. Richard, Jackson Second Configuration
Phillip Speering
Roberto Becerra
St. Joseph, Starkville First Discipleship
St. James, Tupelo Propaedeutic Stage
Josh Statham
St. Jude, Pearl First Configuration
Adam Smith
St. Mary, Batesville Propaedeutic Stage
Kevin Lopez
St. James, Tupelo English Second Lang.
Thomas Taylor
Holy Rosary, Philadelphia Propaedeutic Stage
Henry Haley
St. John, Oxford Third Dicipleship
Robert Toole
St. John, Oxford Propaedeutic Stage
The Goal isn’t Simply More Priests. It’s Well Formed Priests.
SENT.
Preparing shepherds for the people of Mississippi
Formation has a destination. For these men, that destination is the people and parishes of the Diocese of Jackson. And when they talk about the future, their answers reveal that they are not simply looking forward to wearing clerical collars or celebrating Mass. They are looking forward to people.
I look forward to helping people unburden themselves through Reconciliation, so they can offer themselves fully to God the Father through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. – Adam Smith
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I look forward to celebrating the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and encouraging families in their vocation to holiness, following the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
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– Philip Speering
I look forward to serving the people of our diocese through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and helping them encounter Jesus personally in the Eucharist.
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– Robert Toole
I look forward to offering Mass and being present to the people of our diocese, so they may encounter God’s love and divine mercy through my ministry.
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– Thomas Taylor
Father Nick calls this a “homegrown harvest” – men from the parishes of the diocese who will one day return to serve those same communities. He wants the future priests of the diocese to reflect the diocese itself: its different regions, cultures, backgrounds, communities and traditions. And he believes that strong vocations have a multiplying effect.
A well-formed, joyful priest doesn’t simply serve a parish. He sets a parish on fire.
SUPPORTED.
No vocation walks alone.
There is one final piece to every vocation story. The people of God. The seminarians repeatedly return to the same theme when asked what they want to say to the people who support them:
Tha n k You !
Your prayers and generosity remind seminarians that they are not alone in formation. They know they can rely on the support of many people who place their hope in them. – Kevin Lopez Thank you for your prayers and support. Knowing that people are encouraging me strengthens my trust in where the Lord is leading. Every gift helps form well-prepared seminarians who can become faithful priests. – Roberto Becerra
$10 MILLION
permanent seminarian education endowment The $10 million Permanent Seminarian Education Endowment will provide a lasting source of support for the spiritual, academic and pastoral formation of future priests.
The Catholic Foundation is here to help you throughout the United In Mission Capital Campaign. Whether you have questions about the campaign, your parish’s participation, making a gift, or other campaign-related matters, we are happy to assist you. LEARN MORE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Visit our website to learn more about United In Mission or make a gift.
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
Rebecca Harris, Executive Director (601) 960-8477 rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org
unitedinmissionjackson.org