A record-setting group of 38 young men gathered last week at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore to discern a unique calling: serving both God and country as Catholic military chaplains.
Organized by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), the annual fall discernment retreat reflected a growing interest in the “vocation within a vocation” — becoming both a priest and a military officer dedicated to pastoral care for service members.
Led by retired Army chaplain and current AMS Vocations Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, the Oct. 30–Nov. 2 retreat featured prayer, reflection, Mass, and one-on-one spiritual dialogue, according to a recent AMS press release. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the spiritual needs of over 1.8 million Catholics in the military, was also in attendance, encouraging discerners from across the nation.
With only a fraction of military personnel having regular access to a Catholic priest, the surge in interest inspires hope Participants came from dioceses across the U.S.and included those exploring roles in the Army, Navy, or Air Force and those still discerning branches.
“There was a particularly ‘sweet spirit’ among this group,” Fr. Halladay said. “Even though they were large in number, and from all different backgrounds and connections with the military, they bonded remarkably well. I know there were plenty of people praying for us on our retreat and it was certainly fruitful.”The AMS will hold its spring discernment retreat April 9-12, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.
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