Vocations Newsletter

Voices Of Our World

Spring 2026 
As we journey through Lent, Fr. Rodrigo unpacks the earlier remarks of a Maryknoll Brother who inspired him to look anew at his own vocation to mission: “I came, I saw, and I was conquered.” As Fr. Rodrigo observes, this quote captures the essence of what can take place when we approach discernment with an open heart. Mission has a way of capturing our lives — each of us in a unique way — when our hearts remain poised to encounter Christ in all things and among all peoples. Don’t be afraid of allowing your heart to conquered by God’s love.

In a brief reflection contributed by Seminarian Barrack Odeka and selected photos, we also take a look back at Maryknoll’s participation in the SEEK 2026 conference hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) from January 1st – 5th in Columbus, Ohio.

Our 2026 Holy Week “Come and See” Retreat, April 1st — 5th, 2026, for men discerning priesthood or Brotherhood is also coming up! Please consider joining us at our Mission Center at Maryknoll, NY, where we will journey together with Christ to a new life in God’s love.

Download Newsletter

Join Father Rodrigo as he shares recent events and reflections on Maryknoll Vocations and those who commit to a life of service and mission.

Latest Posts

All Oppression Shall Cease, with Christopher J. Kellerman, SJ

January 11, 2023

In this thought-provoking work, Christopher J. Kellerman provides a rigorously researched, era-by-era history of the Catholic Church’s teachings and actions related to slavery.By telling stories of enslaved Catholics and Catholic slaveholders, analyzing arguments of theologians who either defended or condemned slaveholding, and examining documents of popes and councils, Kellerman’s book reveals disturbing answers to contemporary questions about the Church’s role in the history of slavery and especially in the Atlantic slave trade.For students, teachers, and all readers interested in how religion can be used both to oppress and to liberate, All Oppression Shall Cease gives a detailed account of the Church’s slaveholding past while issuing a call for the Church to take the necessary steps to reconcile with its history.Get The Book: All Oppression Shall Cease : A History of Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Catholic ChurchAbout The AuthorChristopher J. Kellerman, SJ, works in the Office of Justice and Ecology of the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus. He recently served as visiting fellow and interim director at the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University New Orleans.
Read more >
The Baptism of the Lord, Matthew 3:13-17

January 9, 2023

The Baptism of the LordMt 3:13-17Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Read more >
Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

December 30, 2022

Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephMt 2:13-15, 19-23When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
Read more >
Discovering the Meaning of Christmas, Journey of Faith

December 25, 2022

There is a popular Philippine Christmas song I truly love; it has the title: Christmas in Our Hearts. Indeed, that is where Christmas happens! God’s heart overflowed with love, so he sent his very best gift: his own Son. We all pray for each other during this Christmas season, so that Christ will be born anew in each of our hearts and that there will truly be “Peace on earth”!
Read more >