Seminarian & Novice Sponsorship

Vocations to the priesthood remain plentiful in Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Hundreds of seminarians in the lands we serve need generous sponsors.

While the numbers of women discerning a call to religious life are not as plentiful as they once were, hundreds remain committed and need support.

In most of the countries we serve, it costs more than $1,080 per year to support a seminarian or novice. We suggest a monthly gift of $90.

Your sponsorship payment can be made monthly or annually.

Your contributions support the seminary or the house of formation where your seminarian or novice is studying. A small percentage is retained to help cover administrative costs.

Please do! Address your letters to CNEWA, 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022-4195. Include your full name, your personal sponsorship I.D. number and your seminarian or novice’s full name and location code.

To avoid additional requests for support, please do not include your return address. Also, please avoid making political references that could cause difficulties for seminarians or novices in certain countries.

Within the first few months you should receive a letter of introduction from the seminarian or novice you are sponsoring. They are encouraged to write to their sponsors, especially at Christmas. We will do everything we can to expedite communication between you and your seminarian or novice. Sometimes, responses are irregular because of language difficulties or the postal system.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to send packages overseas. However, you may wish to send a monetary gift instead (please, a minimum of $10). You may send your one-time gift through the web site, but please note in the comments area that it is for your seminarian or novice, and provide his or her name. Thank you!

Since seminarians and novices are members of a community, gifts are used at the discretion of the rector or mistress of novices. Sometimes gifts are shared with the entire community.

We encourage you to set up your sponsorship on this website. If you need any help or would like to make your gifts through the mail, please call us at (800) 442-6392. You can also email us at giving@cnewa.org.

Currently, only the sponsorship agreements created on our website appear. We hope you will be able to manage sponsorship commitments made offline on this site in the coming months.

In some of the countries we serve, travel is difficult and occasionally restricted. If, however, you plan to visit the region, consider visiting your seminarian or novice. Contact us in advance so we may plan with the formation director, should visits be permitted.

The length of study and preparation for the priesthood varies somewhat from country to country. Seminarians are normally ordained as priests after studying two or three years of philosophy, four years of theology and sometimes one or more years of pastoral and spiritual training.

Usually, novices make their first profession after two years of formation. Many continue their educational and pastoral studies, however, depending on their ministries.

If your seminarian decides to discontinue his studies for the priesthood, a new one will be introduced to you. But please remember both men in your prayers!

If your novice decides to leave her religious congregation, a new one will be introduced to you. But please remember both women in your prayers!