When the Diocese of Crookston asked Ad Monkeys to document the ordination of a local priest, the assignment seemed pretty straightforward: Capture a rarely seen but deeply meaningful ceremony and preserve the moment. But as we began pre-production talks with the client’s vocations director and seminarians from throughout the Diocese of Crookston, another angle began to emerge. Again and again, we heard about an inescapable calling that often starts as a whisper. This became the story!

Our behind-the-scenes footage, candid interviews, and four-camera recording of the Mass of Ordination provided all the necessary elements as Ad Monkeys created “From Chosen to Chalice: Discerning God’s Call.” This story explores the much longer journey that brings someone to that moment: the uncertainty, the formation, the brotherhood and, ultimately, the decision to take the step and follow the call.

To top it off, “From Chosen to Chalice” was awarded “Honorable Mention - Best Video Explainer, Diocesan and National News Organizations” by the Catholic Media Association at its 2025 Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diocese of Crookston continues to feature “From Chosen to Chalice” as a vocations tool for young men considering the priesthood.