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The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown offers these Programs to guide young men who are interested in diocesan priesthood.

The Fraternity of Father Gallitzin...An Opportunity for Discovery
Designed primarily for young men age 15 and older, this program offers discussion, prayer and support to high school students who have expressed an interest in the priesthood. Young men are encouraged to participate in "Come and See" vocation awareness days, visits to the seminary, and parish-based and diocesan youth ministry events.
If you or someone you know is in high school and is interested in knowing more about the priesthood, these group events may be the right way for you to discover God's plan for your life!

College Programs for Priestly Formation...A Time of Discernment
The Father Demetrius Gallitzin Discernment Program allows a individual to pursue an undergraduate degree at a local college of his choice (St. Francis University, Mount Aloysius, UPJ, Penn State, Juniata, etc.) while working closely with the Director of Vocations in a program that offers regular opportunities for vocational discernment, fraternity, Mass and prayer. Each participant meets regularly with a priest-spiritual director. Participants join the diocesan seminarians for retreats and other events. Demetrius Discernment is held at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House in Loretto, PA. Participants may transfer into college seminary after sometime in the program or enter Pre-Theology following their college graduation.

The College Seminary Program is offered at the Pontifical College Josephinum, College of Liberal Arts, in Columbus, Ohio. The college seminary prepares men through academics, community life, spiritual direction and pastoral experiences to discern a call to the priesthood. Here the individual receives formal priestly formation while pursuing an undergraduate degree specifically designed to prepare him for further theological studies. As the only pontifical seminary outside of Italy, the Josephinum prepares candidates for the priesthood from dioceses throughout the United States and abroad. Altoona-Johnstown college seminarians benefit from this broader experience of the universal Church. Upon graduating, a college seminarian may enter directly into graduate-level theology in a seminary.

The Josephinum regularly offers "Live-In" retreats for young men (junior/senior high school or college transfers). Transportation is provided and there is no charge for the retreat. For more information, please contact:

Rev. Allen P. Zeth
Director of Vocations
Prince Gallitzin Chapel House
PO Box 99
Loretto, PA 15940
Phone: (814) 472-5441
E-mail: azeth@dioceseaj.org

Vocation Prayer

Lord, let me know clearly the work which you are calling me to do in life. Grant me the grace and generosity I need to answer your call with courage and love and lasting dedication to your will. Amen.

Loving God, I honor the heart of your son. Like Jesus, give me an open heart to know your will. Give me a generous heart to respond to that will. Give me a courageous heart to be faithful to that promise of all that I am called to be.

Like Jesus, use my heart to touch your people. Use my heart to serve your people. Use my heart to continue to love your people so that I may be faithful to the promise of all that I am called to be.

Loving God, through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to know if I am called to be a priest.