A press release from the Companions of the Cross urging Catholics to “adopt” one, two three or “as many priests as you like.” It seems the adoptees don’t actually move into your house.

“Lack of mentorship or formal program of continuing education. Not much support – I felt like I was given a parish without so much as a ‘good luck’ much less anyone checking on me or supporting me.” (Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, 2020) 

Men are being ordained to the priesthood and left to ‘figure it out’ or ‘fend for themselves’. This is not a strategy for a thriving church.

 Seminary training is not enough. Priests need more. 

“In the seminaries, they’re not teaching priests how to lead. They are not teaching them the practical skills needed to lead teams of people, to form them, to equip them, and to commission them.” (Bp. Scott McCaig, CC)

We can do better… We must do better… 

Priests need ongoing formation. Ordination is not the finish line; it is the starting block. It’s more important than ever, in this ever-changing landscape, to provide our priests with the spiritual and financial support they need to thrive.  

The crisis is real....But there is hope. Adopt-a-Priest! 

Adopt-a-Priest is all about supporting an explosively alive priesthood. It is about forming young dynamic men into young dynamic leaders. It’s about leadership training and ongoing spiritual support.

What’s involved in adopting a priest? 

Spiritual Adoption – Receive a prayer card and pray daily for your CC priest. 

Financial Support - $30 monthly or $360 annually. This goes to the Companions Clergy Leadership Development Fund which supports the ongoing leadership formation of all priests.  

 Adopt one priest. Adopt two priests. Adopt as many priests as you like! 

You can play an active role in the formation of explosively alive priests, and in turn, an explosively alive Church!

Giving fresh meaning to  “rushed into print,” a mere four days after Cardinal Robert Prevost  became Pope Leo XIV, Loyola Press announces an entire “groundbreaking” book with “in depth research” into how and why he was chosen.

CHICAGO, May 12, 2025 - The election of Pope Leo XIV—the first North American to ascend the Chair of Saint Peter—marks a watershed moment in the life of the Catholic Church. His rise signals not just a geographical shift but a broader transformation at a time when the Church must navigate seismic cultural, political, and spiritual currents across the globe. As Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV inherits the moral legacy and global vision of Pope Francis, while confronting the urgent challenge of shepherding a Church that is diverse and, at times, divided through the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.

In Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy, NBC Vatican correspondent Christopher White offers a compelling introduction to the man now tasked with leading the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Drawing on in-depth research and reporting, White explores Pope Leo XIV’s background, theological orientation, and pastoral priorities, shedding light on the experiences and convictions that will shape his approach to the papacy. White’s book is a timely and accessible guide to understanding the person behind the white cassock—and the new chapter his leadership may usher in for the Church.

“Before 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on May 7th,” White reveals, “several had told me they believed that the conclave of 2025 might be the most important in at least sixty years. Francis was named ‘Person of the Year 2013’ by Time magazine, which hailed him as ‘the people's pope’ for his courage in changing the often archaic and antiquated institution. The cardinals were effectively facing a referendum on whether to continue down this path. It's not often that 'never has a papal election so important' happens twice in one lifetime. But on May 8, when Pope Leo XIV was elected to succeed Francis, it was clear that history seemed likely to repeat itself.”

This groundbreaking book offers: 

Behind-the-Scenes Reporting: A detailed account of the conclave, the key figures involved, and the decisive moments that shaped the election of Pope Leo XIV. 

A Vision for the Future: Insight into Pope Leo XIV’s priorities, theological outlook, and potential impact on Church governance and global affairs….

Global Implications: An analysis of how the Catholic Church’s role in international diplomacy, social justice, and moral leadership may shift under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.