Streaming Now in 4K

ABOUT THE FILM

What is the film about?

Discerning the Call tells the story of change in the American Catholic Priesthood in the last 75 years. Featuring interviews, statistics, and historical analysis, we try to present a clear picture of the American cultural changes of the last eight decades through the lens of the priesthood. 

Whom did you interview?

We conducted a total of 27 interviews with Catholic priests, seminarians, and the Cardinal-Archbishop of New York. The combined interview material totals over 30 hours.

What did you hope to capture?

 Our primary goal is to document the history of the Catholic priesthood over the last eight decades through one-on-one interviews. In compiling these stories to fit a chronological narrative of history, dozens of hours of the interviews were–tragically–not included. We hope to release additional footage in the future. We also hope to make more films about other topics impacting vocational discernment, including a project about the stories of women religious in the United States.

When a man discovers a call to the priesthood today, his process of discernment looks much different than it would have decades ago. Why?


From the social and political upheaval to the 1960s and the clerical sex abuse crisis of the early 2000s to the modern embrace of secularism, we document the cultural changes that have affected the American Catholic priesthood in the last 75 years. 


This film was made possible by the Duffy Fellows Program at the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture.

About The Directors

Jay Doherty

Patrick Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan

Jay Doherty is a rising junior at Fordham University studying digital technologies and emerging media and philosophy. He is a reporter for the university’s NPR Radio Station, WFUV, and the recipient of Fordham’s Leahey Student Renaissance Award. Doherty is also the vice president of Fordham’s Jesuit Network.

Patrick Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan is a graduate of Fordham University, where he majored in Latin and minored in economics through the university’s honors program. He is deeply interested in Catholicism and its interaction with American culture, having rediscovered the faith during his time at Fordham.

Screenings and Media

The co-directors of Discerning the Call were invited as guests on "Personally Speaking," a nationally-syndicated Catholic media show, for an interview that will air on June 2, 2024. Here is the link.

Fordham CRC Assistant Director David Goodwin wrote a reflection on his role as overseer of the 2023-2024 Duffy Fellows at the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture.  Here is the link.

3:00 PM | New York, NY

6:00 PM - New York, NY | Tickets Required | Sold Out

WFUV's David Escobar speaks with Jay Doherty, the film's co-director and a fellow FUV reporter. They discuss the stories of the priests and religious people in his feature film "Discerning the Call." Here is the link. 

Leo Sorel/Fordham University

    Contact The Directors

    For press inquiries, please email media@discerningthecall.com

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Social

    Stay Up To Date

    Join our email list to learn more about upcoming events and projects from Discerning the Call.

    Copyright © 2024 Discerning the Call - All Rights Reserved.

    • Premiere Event

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept