"The first time I arrived at the seminary I didn’t want to leave, because I felt at home. It was a feeling that seemed so right and I knew that God wanted me to be with the Oblates. The example of the Oblate priests at my parish was very influential and it was their living testimony that drew me towards the Oblates of St. Joseph."

"I still remember the reading from 1 Corinthians 1 at that Mass, about God choosing the weak and foolish and lowly, to be his instruments.

My life belongs to Him and He has never let me down. He has given me infinitely more than I could ever begin to give to Him."

"I've been blessed to know the Oblates of St. Joseph since I was young. The OSJ serving at our parish gave me a living example of humble, devoted service to God's Kingdom. When I began discerning my own vocation, these same Oblates walked with me, helping me listen for God's voice. What drew me most powerfully was seeing St. Joseph's quiet faithfulness lived out in their lives and in their community life modeled on the Holy Family of Nazareth. I'm so grateful to have been called to be an Oblate of St. Joseph!"

"My attraction to the Oblates of St. Joseph unfolded over time. From a young age, I was drawn to the joy of their community life, watching them laugh, work, and genuinely enjoy being together. Later, as I grew in discernment, I was drawn more deeply by their love for youth ministry, their closeness to the underserved, and their desire to lead others to Jesus. Ultimately, it was their steady hard work, faithfulness, and dedication to the mission that led me to commit myself forever. Today, trusting in Divine Providence, I am grateful to live what first attracted me, the same joy and fraternity, now expressed in serving the interests of Jesus in imitation of St. Joseph through a hidden and hard working life."

"I am an Oblate of St. Joseph because I am deeply drawn to the spirituality of St. Joseph, especially his hidden life. St. Joseph teaches me that holiness is not found in recognition or great words, but in silent faithfulness, obedience to God, and daily work done with love. His life reminds me that God often works most powerfully in what is simple, humble, and unseen."

"I was blessed to have grown up in a firm, faithfully Catholic family. The Oblates of St. Joseph served in the parish where we attended Mass. Serving Mass, and with the example of my older brothers, I was open from a young age to the possibility that God might call me to be a religious or a priest. During high school, I began to feel and hear that call from our Lord. With the help of my pastor, I was slowly prepared to open myself to this (at first unwanted) call. I initially saw only a life of sacrifice and renunciation. Yet, once I entered formation with the Oblates of St. Joseph, I discovered that I couldn’t have been more wrong. God has brought such abundant joy to my life through this calling to be totally consecrated to Him in imitation of St. Joseph and serving the youth. Thank you, Lord, for calling me to be an Oblate of St. Joseph and a priest!"

"I grew up across the street from my home parish, where I was surrounded by the Oblates of St. Joseph, whose witness deeply influenced my life. At the age of 17, I entered the Oblates’ formation program in Pittston and later completed my novitiate and theological studies in Italy. I was ordained a priest on August 10, 1991. Over the years, I have served in various roles and I remain thankful for God’s call and for the joy of living out my vocation each day."

"The spirituality of the Oblates of St. Joseph is humble, hidden, and easily overlooked, and it took me some time to really understand. In fact, when I first began discerning my vocation to be a religious and a priest, I did not even consider that God might be calling me to be an Oblate. But through the faithful and generous witness of many Oblates I got to know along the way, I discovered a gem of consecrated life: a family of men who strive to reflect the virtues and qualities of Joseph of Nazareth, who work with zeal and humility to bring Jesus to the world."