Society of Divine Vocations (S.D.V)
The Vocationist Fathers and Brothers are a Catholic Religious Congregation that strives to foster vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, especially among the poor. Its main ministry is to identify and guide those who believe they are called to serve God as priests or brothers.

The Society of Divine Vocations, more commonly referred to as "Vocationist Fathers," currently serves God's people in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, United States, Nigeria, Philippines and India. Their ministry is carried out in parishes, schools, missions and the Vocationary (a place for vocational discernment and religious formation).

The Vocationist Fathers and Brothers live in community and take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Their USA Headquarters and House of Formation are located in Florham Park, NJ.

HISTORY
Fr. Justin Russolillo, the Founder of the Society of Divine Vocations, was born in Pianura, Naples, Italy on Jan. 18, 1891. He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1913. No sooner he became the pastor of Pianura on September 20, 1920, than he began working for the realization of his dream. That same year, the first community of the Society of Divine Vocations, which became known as the "Vocationist Fathers," came into being. The Society of Divine Vocations received its first Diocesan approval on May 26, 1927. It became a Congregation of Pontifical right on May 24, 1947. In 1950, the Vocationists took on their first foreign mission in Bahia, Brazil. In 1962 they began their mission in the United States at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Newark, NJ. More recently they spread their mission to Argentina, Nigeria, the Philippines and India.

Fr. Justin established the Vocationist Fathers and their special charism to foster and promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life and holiness among all God's people. To carry on this vocational work Fr. Justin established the Vocationary, a special house of formation that would supply vocations to both religious order and diocesan seminaries. For those who are undecided whether they want to be a Vocationist, a Diocesan priest or a member of another religious community, the Vocationist Fathers offer the Vocationary, a place of vocational discernment. The Vocationary was established specially to attend to the needs of those financially unable to attend the seminary and those who are still searching and discerning their vocation. By establishing the Vocationary, Fr. Justin focused his attention not only on candidates seeking a religious or priestly vocation, but also on those who had left the priesthood or who were in danger of doing so. Thus, the Vocationary has often given life to those who had abandoned the active ministry. Besides the Vocationary, the Vocationist Fathers carry on their ministry of fostering and promoting vocations in their other fields of apostolate: parishes, schools and missions.

As the Vocationists continued spreading their mission, their dream of having their first Vocationary built in the United States finally came true in 1989. With the generosity of many friends and benefactors, they were able to establish Fr. Justin Vocationary in Florham Park, NJ, which was dedicated on May 27, 1989.

The Vocationists' spirituality stems from Fr. Justin's conviction that all people are called to holiness. They take as addressed to them the words of the prophet Hosea: "I will make you my spouse forever." Their "first duty" is to be with God. Their ultimate goal is to achieve Divine Union. They are called to establish and live the relationship of "child, parent and spouse" of God on the pattern of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Catholic Church, the Holy Family and the Blessed Trinity are the heart and center of their spirituality, which may be summarized thus: "Ascension to the Trinity with the Holy Family in the Church."

The Vocationist Fathers and Brothers currently serve the people of the Church of Newark at St. Michael Church and the Perpetual Help Center, both in Newark, and at St. Nicholas Church in Palisades Park.

Taken from the Society of Divine Vocations website, www.vocationist.org/index.html

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