“While we are all aware of the great challenges facing the Church and society at this time, we know also that God the all-powerful is always with us,” said Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations.

"We need to convert the challenge posed by a lack of priests into an opportunity for greater lay involvement.”

"It is important that parishes remain alert to the possibility that a priest who retires or is moved to another parish might not be replaced" – Bishop Farrell.

"People regularly make vocational inquiries to our office and we look forward with hope to the future of the diocesan priesthood in Ireland” - Fr Willie Purcell.

As the number of priests in the diocese grows smaller, Bishop Gavin said: “We need to actively go out of our way to encourage, foster, nourish and promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.”

‘God is real, Christ is alive, He is present, He wants to befriend each one of us, forgive us, heal us, free us, involve us in the loving community of faith and make our lives better,’ said Bishop Michael Duignan in his first address as a member of the Irish hierarchy.

Two men are beginning their studies for the priesthood this autumn and a third is embarking on the permanent diaconate.

“While we are all aware of the great challenges facing the Church and society at this time, we know also that God the all-powerful is always with us. These formation figures released today offer us a sign of hope,” said Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations.

In his homily at a Mass in St Kieran’s College for priests celebrating their ordination jubilees, the Bishop of Ossory stressed that the kingdom of God does not come about by “being passive”.

While organisers welcome young people, they are also interested in meeting those who have lived some of their life in the world before they come into religious life, because then they are making a discerned choice.

The situation in Kerala is considered the worst, and that area was also severely affected one year ago when rain and floods killed 480 people.

“They are an invaluable powerhouse of prayer for the wider diocese and indeed much further afield.”

“The uncomfortable things we say need not be judgemental or harsh, but simply counter-cultural.”

“This is an essential part of the mission of the priest; to break for the people the bread of God’s Word as well as the bread of the Eucharist.”

Fr Ciprian Matei, from the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Romania, is to become Curate (CC) in Portlaoise parish.

“It is both exciting and challenging to be the first woman to take up the position of Director of the National Office for Vocations,” says Scottish FSP sister.

Pope Francis admits it is not always easy to discern our vocation and to steer our life in the right direction and, for this reason, he calls on Church personnel to provide young people with opportunities for listening and discernment.

“The world is very attractive for young people nowadays. They very much can have their own careers and get jobs, get third level education. That was not the case when sisters entered in my time,” says Sr Laura Boyle on the drop in vocations.

“We have to face the fact that at the moment there are [fewer] priests than we were used to, and this has an effect on how parishes operate. Obviously, there is a whole richness within the laity that hasn’t been tapped into.”

Fr Brian D’Arcy has called for the Church to allow married men and women to be ordained as priests.

“When Christ invited his own disciples to follow him, it was an invitation. That word of encouragement from priests, bishops and parishioners is part of it. We have to invite men to priesthood.”

"Priestly vocations are everyone’s business, but if priests, deacons, parish pastoral workers, parish council members do not lead the conversation, then who will?"

"The pastoral councils on both islands are vital to the life of the parish. In many ways they are an example of what we are now trying to do on the mainland – lay-led ministry." – Fr Patrick Burke

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin presides at ordination of Rev Fergal Cummins of Meath, Rev Ricky O’Connor of Ferns, and Divine Word Missionaries, Rev Yanbo Chen and Rev Gerhard Osthues.

We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events. On the contrary, our life and our presence in this world is the fruit of a divine vocation, says Pope Francis.

Two transitional deacons ordained by Bishop Denis Nulty for Irish Dominicans while Bishop Brendan Kelly ordains the diocese of Achonry's first two permanent deacons.

“He takes a huge interest in people and their lives, particularly when they face difficult times, such as bereavement.”

If we want to generate a culture of vocations, it is not going to happen in isolation, it is certainly not going to happen if we are not investing in youth ministry.

Without the continued support of religous orders, Dublin could face a 70% drop in the number of its priests by 2030

19 new seminarians have begun their formation for Irish dioceses, eight of whom have begun a propaedeutic year in locations in Ireland and abroad.