What We Are Facing
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The number of Catholic priests in the United States has declined by approximately 40% over the last 60 years.
U.S. priestly ordinations have plateaued, now averaging between 400 and 500 new priests per year. This simply isn’t enough.
While the number of priests has decreased, the overall U.S. Catholic population has grown significantly
Ready to support vocations in your diocese? If you are a priest interested in leading a pilgrimage, schedule a call to learn more. If you are a bishop or vocation director, request a diocesan proposal or schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss how this initiative can support your vocation office.
A Word From Our Friends
Don’t take our word for it. Listen to some of our friends and trusted leaders of the Church as they share why supporting priestly vocations is one of the most important challenges facing the Catholic Church today. These respected voices explain the growing need for more men to answer God’s call to the priesthood and how each of us can help foster a culture of discernment.
Together, through the Priesthood Pilgrimage Initiative, we hope to inspire greater awareness and raise over $1 million nationwide to support vocation programs that will help form the priests our Church will need for generations to come.
How It Works
SCHEDULE YOUR PILGRIMAGE
Book your group pilgrimage before December 31, 2026.
COMPLETE YOUR PILGRIMAGE
Complete your pilgrimage with at least 25 paid pilgrims.
RECEIVE $5,000
Funds to support your diocesan vocation programs.
Forming Future Priests
WHAT CAN $5,000 DO FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS?
Finance discernment retreats
Assist seminarian formation
Raise vocation awareness
Support campus ministry outreach
$5,000 can help fund a discernment retreat by:
- Covering lodging and meals for young men attending a weekend discernment retreat.
- Subsidizing retreat costs so participation is free or low-cost.
- Providing materials, speakers, and transportation assistance.
$5,000 can help form seminarian formation by:
- Purchasing books and educational resources.
- Helping with travel expenses for formation programs.
- Assisting with pastoral training opportunities.
- Supplementing seminarian emergency or living expenses.
A Pilgrimage Changes Lives
Those transformed pilgrims become the families who encourage future seminarians and religious vocations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any Catholic priest in good standing may inquire about leading a pilgrimage. Bishops and diocesan vocation directors are also welcome to explore how the initiative can support their vocation programs.
Nativity Pilgrimage contributes $5,000 to the participating diocese’s vocation office or religious organization upon completion of the qualifying pilgrimage
No. Nativity Pilgrimage provides planning, logistics, registration support, and ongoing guidance throughout the process so the priest can focus on the spiritual aspect of the pilgrimage and share that with his parish.
No. Nativity Pilgrimage manages registrations, travel arrangements, accommodations, and pilgrim support. Specific program details are provided during the planning process.
Yes. Depending on the program and timing, multiple priests may lead pilgrimages that benefit the diocesan vocation office.
Schedule a call with our team to learn more about leading a pilgrimage or request a diocesan proposal tailored to your vocation office.
You Can Feel Confident In This Initiative
Where Can We Take You?
We offer spiritual journeys to holy sites & destinations worldwide!
“The people of God are hungry, and it’s a privilege on our part to be able to serve them as priests.”
– Fr. John Rooney, St. Mary of the Expectation, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Join Our Family
At Nativity Pilgrimage, we pride ourselves on repeat customers. That’s why we put so much time and planning into each pilgrimage, so that priests traveling with their parishioners can focus on the most important aspect of pilgrimage…Spiritually connecting with God and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We invite you to join your fellow priests who have already become a part of the Nativity Pilgrimage Family! And this time, you’re helping form future priests to lead our church.
Fr. Rocky
Relevant Radio
Chicago, IL
Fr. Chris Alar
Provincial Superior
Marians of the Immaculate Conception
Fr. Hieu Nguyen
St. Ambrose
Houston, TX
Fr. Paul Sustayta
Blessed Sacrament Church
Hollywood, CA
