Diocese of Palm Beach office of vocations

“Cast out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Jesus uttered these words to Simon as He stepped into his boat. Although Simon and his friends had done so countless times the night before, Simon trusted and obeyed Jesus’ command; this time, he caught more fish than his nets could handle! The remainder of the Gospel makes clear that Jesus enabled Simon to catch much more than just the fish that day—Simon found “Peter” and his life’s mission, becoming the “Rock” of the Church!

As I pray for and with young men and women discerning their vocations, I often see Peter in them. Within each young person is a vocation to ​“something greater” than meets the eyes. Discerning one’s vocation requires us to raise our eyes from the passing things of this world towards God: who made us, calls us and journeys with us through the vicissitudes of life. The vocations to marriage, priesthood, and consecrated life are all paths of living out our call to holiness: to be loved and to love. Like Peter’s, every vocation requires trusting openness to God’s will, and acting on His word that reverberates in our hearts… even when we feel like we’ve already tried. 

I pray that this website will serve as a helpful resource to all seeking to listen to the words of Christ and follow Him, as well as for those desiring to accompany them on this journey. The Office of Vocations and Seminarians of the Diocese of Palm Beach is available to all who are ready to make this journey to finding God’s will for their life. May Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles intercede for us all, so that a deeper indwelling of the Holy Spirit may help us hear the call of the Lord in our lives and respond with courage.