One hundred and sixteen essays have been submitted for the 2025/26 contest. Seven members of the Columbus Serra Club are reviewing the essays. The name of the writer has been removed from each essay and replaced with a number. Hence, the reviewers do not know the names of the students. We plan to announce the ten winners of the $1,000 tuition awards in late February 2026.
What is the contest? (The 2026/27 contest will be similar to the 2025/26 contest.)
The Columbus Serra Club is asking each and every Catholic eighth grade boy in the Columbus diocese to think carefully about becoming a priest. We are challenging eighth grade boys to write an essay of five hundred words or less answering a question about whether God might be calling them to the priesthood. Writers of the ten best essays will be awarded a $1,000 tuition assistance grant to a diocesan Catholic high school.
What are the topics for the essays?
With five hundred words or less, write an essay on one of the following three topics.
1. I think that God might be calling me to be a priest because…
2. I do not think that God is calling me to be a priest because . . .
3. A priest who has played an important role in my life is _______ because he… God might be calling me to follow him into the priesthood because .. .
May assistance be sought in writing the essay?
This is not a take-home test. Feel free to discuss your thoughts with your family, friends and pastor. The evaluators are interested in your thoughts and your own words about yourself in relation to the priesthood and God. They are not interested in reading generalities about the priesthood such as an AI app produces. Most importantly consult the highest intelligence. Pray that the Holy Spirit guide you in probing your heart and mind to hear His call.
When are the essays to be written?
Students have October and November to write their essays. Essays are due Monday December 1, 2025
How are the essays to be submitted?
If you submit your essay by yourself, Submit it as an email attachment in Word or PDF to Vocationessays@outlook.com. Include contact information about your name, parish, email address, text message phone # and postal address.
Teachers may submit their students’ essays in a bulk emailing. But for each student include contact information about student’s name, parish, email address, text message phone # and postal address. Email essays to: Vocationessays@outlook.com
Decisions will be sent to entrants in early February 2026.
What happens to the essays after they are submitted?
Submitted essays are the property of the Columbus Serra Club. The Club will try to publish some essays or, excerpts from essays, in the Catholic Times or other promotional literature for the competition.
For further information on the 2025/2026 competition, , Email: kielkopf.1@osu.edu or text 614-558-0806.
Serra Club of Columbus 