Diocese of Toledo Welcomes Nine New Seminarians, Largest Increase in 23 Years
The Diocese of Toledo is celebrating a significant sign of hope for priestly vocations: nine new seminarians have been accepted to begin formation for the Diocese this fall — the largest single-year increase in 23 years.
The nine men gathered Tuesday, Aug. 11, for an official “Signing Day,” marking the beginning of their journey as seminarians for the Diocese of Toledo. They join 11 returning seminarians, bringing the Diocese to 20 men in priestly formation for the 2026-2027 year.
The new seminarians come from parishes across the Diocese, from Mansfield and Bellevue to Sylvania, Oregon, Ottawa, Swanton, Van Wert, Port Clinton and Ottoville.
All nine are entering the Propaedeutic Stage of priestly formation. This initial stage takes place before the Discipleship Stage and the formal study of philosophy. It introduces a new seminarian more deeply to the spiritual life while providing a solid foundation in human formation.
Their arrival comes amid a broad diocesan effort to foster a culture of vocations and invite the faithful to pray intentionally for an increase in vocations to the diocesan priesthood.
An important part of that effort this year is the Diocese’s work with Vocation Ministry, a national Catholic nonprofit dedicated to renewing the Church through abundant holy vocations. Founded by Rhonda Gruenewald, author of Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry, the organization equips dioceses, parishes and individuals with practical ways to foster vocations through prayer, education, encouragement and accompaniment.
Gruenewald will join the Diocese of Toledo events this fall, working with priests, parish staffs and parishioners to help strengthen a culture of vocations at every level of diocesan life. She spoke at the Priests’ Convocation in June, and will return to the Diocese of Toledo for the Diocesan Pastoral Conference, “Called Forth: Building a Culture of Holy Vocations,” and will lead a Vocation Ministry Parishioner Workshop on Sept. 26. Together, these opportunities are designed to equip Catholics throughout the Diocese to take an active role in encouraging vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and sacramental marriage.
The collaboration is one part of a broader effort already underway throughout the Diocese.
For the past three years, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas has asked Catholics throughout the Diocese to make a simple but intentional commitment: pray one Hail Mary each day for an increase in priestly vocations and offer some form of fasting each Friday for that intention.
That prayer continues this year alongside expanded efforts to help Catholics throughout the Diocese know their seminarians, encourage young men to discern the priesthood and make prayer for vocations a regular part of parish life.
Among those efforts is the third annual Walk for Vocations, Sept. 27-Oct. 1. Under the theme “Each Step a Prayer for More Priests,” priests and the faithful will make a more than 70-mile pilgrimage across the Diocese, praying specifically for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
Throughout the coming year, the Diocese will also highlight a Seminarian of the Week, giving the faithful an opportunity to come to know each seminarian by name and, most importantly, pray for him throughout his formation. Andrew Dinners, seminary visits, National Vocation Awareness Week and other opportunities will continue to invite young people to discern God's call while equipping the wider Church to encourage and pray for them.
The addition of nine new seminarians is a joyful beginning to a new year of formation — and an invitation to continue building a culture in which young men are encouraged to listen for God's call and given the support to respond generously.
Please pray for these nine men, for all 20 Diocese of Toledo seminarians, and for the young men throughout our Diocese whom God may be calling to the priesthood.
Meet all of the Diocese of Toledo seminarians and learn more about their formation at toledopriesthood.org/seminarians. For more information about priestly vocations, contact Vocations Director, Fr. David Kidd at dkidd@toledodiocese.org.
Posted August 12, 2026 at 2:25 pm