Frequently Asked Questions

What is Serra?

Serra has been working for vocations since its founding in 1935. With over 65 years of experience under its belt, the organization has become a top provider of excellent vocations resources, not only to its members, but also to parishes and vocations directors everywhere.

What is the USA Council of Serra International?

Founded in July 1994, the USA Council comprises over 11,000 Serrans in over 300 clubs in the United States.

The mission of the USA Council is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the USA, and through this common ministry, further their members' common Catholic faith.

What are the goals of the USA Council?

We hope to:

Affirm the priesthood and religious life as positive lifestyles

Invite all men and women to follow their baptismal call

Educate and inform our members, collaborators and the Catholic community of our commitment to promote priesthood and the religious life

Inspire and call forth a well-trained and dedicated corps of leaders at all levels of Serra by spiritual and practical formation

Develop openness to the opinions of others

What are the benefits of membership?

As a member, you have direct access to these resources, plus expert advice from staff and successful clubs, to help you in your vocations work.

By joining Serra International, you officially become part of what Pope John Paul II dubbed "the lay vocation arm of the church."

In December 2000, the Holy Father gave Serrans their own day in Rome for the Great Jubilee and granted them a private audience and blessing at St. Peter's Basilica.

Serrans are the only lay organization to be recognized by the Pope. What an honor to be part of a family so respected by the Vatican!

What are some of the activities Serrans and Serrans at large can coordinate to help foster and affirm vocations?

Here are only a handful of examples:

Called by Name: a program of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in which individuals are given a personal invitation to consider a church vocation

Send greeting cards to priests and seminarians: send cards to celebrate birthdays and ordination/vows anniversaries

Start a Traveling Chalice in your parish: a program in which a chalice goes from home to home and symbolizes the need to pray for church vocations

Parish Bulletin Inserts: submit short articles or prayers about vocations to the editor of the parish bulletin to increase awareness