WASHINGTON (CNS) – Typically, the Facebook page for the Diocese of Providence Office of Vocations in Rhode Island gets anywhere from 3 to 40 likes on their posts – most which celebrate seminarians, priests and their ministry.

But it took an actor and former member of a boy band to set its Facebook page on fire, not with a song, but with a video praising the priesthood, and one which has been viewed – as of Oct. 6 – 560,000 times, and received more than 6,000 likes and upward of 8,000 shares.

Actor Mark Wahlberg, a native of Boston, where the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors held its annual conference Sept. 30 – Oct.7, made the homemade video, which was shown to those who attended, and later posted on the Diocese of Providence vocations office Facebook page.

“We, the Catholic faithful, are counting on you to bring us good and holy priests,” Wahlberg said in the video. “Enjoy my hometown this week and know that I will pray for you and for your success. Thank you for all that you do and God bless.”