Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

On June 25, Holy Trinity Church in Louisville hosted a gathering of 25 high-school-aged men interested in learning about the priesthood. The event, called "Flaget Day," was organized by the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office. Participants were joined by 18 seminarians and three priests for this one-day event.

Throughout the day, attendees listened to vocation stories from priests and seminarians. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre also made an appearance, and participants attended Mass and adoration. The event included opportunities for questions and interaction with priests and seminarians.

Trenton Thieneman, a seminarian who helped lead the event, emphasized the importance of getting to know fellow seminarians during discernment. "One of the most important things with discernment of the priesthood that a young man has to ask himself is, 'Can I be with the people in my diocese? Like, do I really want to spend the rest of my life with these other men?' And so in order to do that, you really have to know the seminarians," he said.

Attendees were at various stages in their discernment journey. For some, it was their first time considering the priesthood. "A lot of them said their mom suggested it to them, so shoutout to moms!" noted Thieneman.

Seminarian Samuel Mattingly observed that as the day went on, attendees began to open up more. Harrison Frey expressed hope that seeds were planted during this event: “Whether they are called to the priesthood or not, it gets them thinking about what the Lord might be calling them to do.”

Mattingly echoed this sentiment by emphasizing openness to divine will: “The main thing to take away is openness to the will of the Lord,” whether that path involves priesthood or other life choices such as religious life or marriage.

The Vocation Office plans another "Flaget Day" for June 2026. Resources for discerning men are available on their website at www.archlouvocations.org.