Discerning a call to the priesthood or diaconate in the Byzantine Catholic Church begins with a deepening relationship with Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and active participation in parish life. This call often arises quietly—through a desire to serve God and His people, a love for the Church’s liturgy and tradition, or the encouragement of clergy or trusted mentors.
In our tradition, discernment is not done alone. It involves guidance from a spiritual father (usually a priest or confessor), open dialogue with your pastor or eparchial vocations director, and a willingness to listen to how the Holy Spirit may be working in your life.
Key steps include:
For those who feel called, the eparchy offers a formal process of discernment and formation, often through seminary or diaconal formation programs, where candidates are prepared spiritually, intellectually, and pastorally for ministry.
If you sense God may be calling you, we encourage you to reach out to our Vocations Office. Christ still calls men today to serve His Church—often in quiet, persistent ways. The first step is simply to say, “Yes, Lord, I’m listening.”
Yes. Feeling unworthy or "not very holy" is not a disqualification—it can actually be a sign of humility, which is essential for anyone considering ordained ministry.
In the Byzantine Catholic tradition, we recognize that no one is worthy on their own to stand before the holy altar or to serve in the name of Christ. At every Divine Liturgy, even the priest prays: "No one who is bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or to minister to You, the King of Glory..." Yet, by God’s mercy, He calls ordinary, imperfect people to serve in extraordinary ways.
Holiness is not a prerequisite—it is a lifelong journey. The call to the priesthood or diaconate is not based on personal perfection, but on a willingness to grow in virtue, to serve with humility, and to surrender to God’s grace. Many of the saints began their path feeling inadequate, but through obedience, prayer, and trust in the Lord, they were transformed.
If you feel drawn to serve but are unsure of your “worthiness,” talk with a spiritual father or your vocations director. The Church doesn’t expect perfect men—only those who are open to being shaped by the Holy Spirit, who love Christ, and who desire to walk the path of holiness, step by step.
Remember: God does not always call the qualified, but He qualifies the called.
Not at all! While our Church has Ukrainian roots and honors the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of our ancestors, everyone is welcome—regardless of ethnicity, background, or language.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Church for all people, and our mission is to share the treasures of the Byzantine tradition with anyone who desires to grow closer to Christ. Many of our parishes today are beautifully diverse, with members from all walks of life who have come to love the depth, reverence, and beauty of our liturgy and spiritual life.
Likewise, when it comes to vocations, you do not need to be Ukrainian to discern a call to the priesthood or diaconate in our eparchy. What matters is a sincere love for Christ and His Church, a desire to serve His people, and a willingness to enter fully into the liturgical and spiritual life of the Byzantine tradition.
If you’re drawn to this way of worship and feel the Lord may be calling you to serve, we invite you to explore that call—no Ukrainian passport required.
No, becoming a priest or deacon in the Byzantine Catholic Church is not easy—but it is a beautiful and grace-filled journey. Both vocations require prayer, discernment, commitment, and formation. They are not simply jobs or roles, but lifelong callings to serve God and His people.
Men who feel called to the priesthood or diaconate begin by speaking with their pastor and the eparchy’s vocations director. If the Church affirms this calling, the man begins a formation process that includes spiritual direction, theological education, and pastoral training.
Seminarians preparing for the priesthood usually study for several years in a seminary setting. Those called to the permanent diaconate follow a separate, though equally intentional, formation program—often while continuing to live and work in the world.
In the Byzantine tradition, both priests and deacons are ordained to serve the Church through preaching, teaching, and especially through the sacred liturgy. A priest offers the sacraments and leads the faithful as a spiritual father; a deacon assists at the altar, proclaims the Gospel, and serves in works of charity and outreach.
It isn’t easy—because the Church wants to ensure that her ministers are deeply rooted in faith, humility, and love. But with God’s help, and the guidance of the Church, the journey is possible and profoundly rewarding.
If you feel the Lord may be calling you, don’t be afraid to take the first step. God doesn’t ask for perfection—only a heart willing to follow Him.
Yes, priests in the Byzantine Catholic Church do receive a salary, but the purpose is not to make a profit—it is to support them so they can devote their lives fully to serving Christ and His Church.
A priest's compensation typically includes a modest salary, housing (if the parish provides a rectory), and benefits like health insurance. The amount can vary depending on the size and resources of the parish or eparchy. Priests are not in ministry for financial gain; they serve out of love for God and the people entrusted to them. Still, the Church recognizes that they have practical needs, especially if they are married with a family (as is possible in the Byzantine tradition).
Deacons—particularly permanent deacons—often have full-time secular jobs and do not always receive a salary for their ministry, though this can vary based on their responsibilities and parish situation.
At its heart, ministry in the Church is a vocation of service, not a career path. The goal is not wealth, but faithfulness.parchy’s vocations director. If the Church affirms this calling, the man begins a formation process that includes spiritual direction, theological education, and pastoral training.
Seminarians preparing for the priesthood usually study for several years in a seminary setting. Those called to the permanent diaconate follow a separate, though equally intentional, formation program—often while continuing to live and work in the world.
In the Byzantine tradition, both priests and deacons are ordained to serve the Church through preaching, teaching, and especially through the sacred liturgy. A priest offers the sacraments and leads the faithful as a spiritual father; a deacon assists at the altar, proclaims the Gospel, and serves in works of charity and outreach.
It isn’t easy—because the Church wants to ensure that her ministers are deeply rooted in faith, humility, and love. But with God’s help, and the guidance of the Church, the journey is possible and profoundly rewarding.
If you feel the Lord may be calling you, don’t be afraid to take the first step. God doesn’t ask for perfection—only a heart willing to follow Him.
No, we are not Eastern Orthodox—we are Byzantine (Ukrainian) Catholics. That means we fully belong to the Catholic Church and are in communion with the Pope of Rome, just like Roman Catholics. However, we worship and live our faith through the Byzantine tradition, which is the same liturgical and spiritual heritage used by many Orthodox Churches.
So while our liturgy, vestments, music, and spirituality may look “Orthodox” to visitors, we are fully Catholic. We share the same sacraments, believe in the same Eucharist, and are part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church—just expressed through a different, and very ancient, tradition.
The Catholic Church is actually made up of 24 “sui iuris” (self-governing) Churches. The Roman (or Latin) Church is the largest, but there are 23 Eastern Catholic Churches like ours—each with its own traditions, spirituality, and governance, yet united in faith and the sacraments.
In short: We’re Catholic, just not Roman Catholic. We’re Eastern Catholic—Byzantine and in full communion with Rome.
Not exactly. Our Church shares a common origin with the Orthodox Churches, but we have always remained rooted in the same Eastern Christian tradition while being in full communion with the Pope of Rome.
Specifically, our Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church traces its origins to the baptism of Kyivan Rus’ in 988, when Christianity was first embraced in what is now Ukraine. For centuries, Christians in that region followed the Byzantine Rite, which is still the foundation of our worship today.
In 1596, through the Union of Brest, a portion of the Church in Ukraine re-established full communion with the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), while preserving our Eastern theology, liturgy, and spirituality. This union formed what is now the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
So we were never “Roman” Catholics, and we didn’t abandon our tradition to become Catholic. We are Eastern Catholics—fully Catholic in faith and sacraments, but fully Eastern in identity. We live the mystery of unity without uniformity: diverse traditions, one Church.
Yes—in the Byzantine Catholic tradition, it is possible for a man who is already married to be ordained as a priest or deacon. This is part of our ancient Eastern Christian practice and has been faithfully preserved in our Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Here’s how it works:
Both married and celibate clergy are fully respected and valued in our Church. Married priests bring the perspective of family life into their ministry, while celibate clergy offer a unique witness to the kingdom of God. Each path is rooted in prayer, sacrifice, and service.
For more on this topic, see the video below featuring Fr. Jason Charron, a priest of our Eparchy who is married and a father of seven children. He shares beautifully about the blessings and responsibilities of married priesthood in our tradition.
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