Kristina Valente, Author at Brooklyn Priests

01 May WHY WE SAY, “AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT”

Posted at 17:02h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

What can the words of the Mass teach us about the priesthood? Plenty, says Msgr. James Maroney, a liturgical scholar who has traveled the country preparing priests to understand and celebrate Mass better. “The liturgy itself tells us who the priest is,” explains Msgr. Moroney. “The prayers...

30 Mar HOW TO TALK TO THE VOCATION DIRECTOR

Posted at 16:41h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

If you wanted to be a journalist, it would make sense to talk to someone who works at a newspaper. If you wanted to be a chef, it would make sense to talk to someone who works at a restaurant. Just so, if you feel an...

02 Mar Seminary 101

Posted at 16:53h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

Many people, even many Catholics, have a vision of seminary as a very strict monastery. They imagine men walking around in hooded robes with folded hands, observing strict silence, and never smiling or laughing. But that is not even true of a monastery, much less...

28 Jan THE ART OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE

Posted at 10:46h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” Socrates famously said. He really meant it, too, as he also said that a man must “interrogate his own nature” and “work precisely” or else he will “miss what is good and become involved in what is bad.” Every...

22 Dec DISCERNMENT SPIRITUALITY

Posted at 13:10h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

Spirituality is the individual approach to one's relationship with God. It involves making use of the tools of prayer and devotion which help you to live as a Christian the best way possible. Spirituality is, therefore, personal and many details of your spirituality will be...

25 Nov POPE BENEDICT’S MESSAGE TO SEMINARIANS

Posted at 17:10h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

"It does makes sense to become a priest: the world needs priests, pastors, today, tomorrow and always, until the end of time." In an open letter on October 18, 2010, Pope Emeritus Benedict spoke from his heart to seminarians throughout the Church. Addressing the confusion and...

24 Oct THE HEART OF A PRIEST

Posted at 17:31h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

What does it take to be a priest? This is the remarkable true story of an American priest martyred for his ministry. Fr. Stanley Rother, a priest for the diocese of Oklahoma City, graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary back in the 1970s. He was not...

22 Sep Be It Done Unto Me According to Your Word

Posted at 17:24h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

I’m my own man! I’m self-made, and I alone should determine my destiny! I will let nothing stand in the way of what I want. There is no other road to happiness! At least that’s what contemporary society would have us believe. But the Christian viewpoint is...

20 Aug Talking to Family and Friends About Interest in the Priesthood

Posted at 12:19h in Vocation Director's Corner by Kristina Valente

Maybe you’re considering the priesthood and you feel peaceful about following God’s call and applying for seminary. But what about your family and friends? What if they don’t understand? What if they reject your choice, or — even worse — you? It’s true that breaking the...

20 Aug 2025 Diocesan Priest Ordination

Posted at 10:31h in Featured by Kristina Valente

Seven new priests were ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn on June 28, 2025 by Bishop Robert Brennan at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Father Robert Ruggiero, Father Benoit Chavanne, Father Juan Herrera-Posada, Father Callistus Ibeh, Father Paulo Salazar, Father Alvaro Morales Sanchez and Father Nelson...