Vocation Sunday. Good Shepherd Sunday
How to Become a Catholic Priest
Becoming a Catholic priest is a serious decision. If you feel God's
calling and believe that a life of celibacy and devotion to God is for
you, this may be the path you are meant to make. The life of a Catholic
priest is a calling to serve God as well as those in need around you.
Method one. Entering the Clergy at a young age.
1} Meet the basic requirements.
In the Roman Catholic Church, a priest must be male and unmarried.
- You must be at least 25 years old to become a priest, but this is
rarely an issue unless you complete your studies unusually early.
2} Get involved at your parish.
Before you even think about going to college or to the seminary, it's a
good idea to get started helping out at your parish. The longer your
history as a practicing Catholic in good standing, the easier it will be
to enter the priesthood.
- Get to know your favorite priest. Tell
him your interests in joining the seminary and see if you can assist him
during services or when he goes to visit sick members of the church or
participates in area activities.
- In addition to altar services,
help out with singing and reading. Getting thorough knowledge of the
books and hymnal will make everything much easier down the road.
3} Assess your beliefs.
Becoming a priest is not a decision to take lightly - it is a path that
takes years to complete and is not for the faint of heart or belief. If
you at all see yourself doing anything else, priesthood may not be for
you. These sources of insight may help you make your decision:
- Pray for God's assistance in discerning your situation.
- Participate in mass regularly, developing a relationship with your parish's clergy.
- Ask for advice from a vocational director or any trusted mentor within the church.
4} Attend college (recommended).
A bachelor degree typically makes it easier to enter seminary and
reduces the length of seminary studies by a couple years. A degree in
philosophy or theology prepares you best, but a degree in any subject
can demonstrate your dedication and ability.
- While in college, get
involved in your campus' ministry. Use this time to attend retreats,
help other students, and connect with your new parish or diocese.
5} Enter a seminary.
Apply to seminaries through your diocese or through the religious
order. If at all possible, enter a seminary that awards a Master of
Divinity, and is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Ask your parish how to get started.
- Every school has a different
application process. You may need reference letters, proof of church
involvement, a certain GPA, and a statement of interest, to name the
basics.
- questions may cover physical health, emotional well being,
conformity of behavior with Catholic tradition, and broad knowledge of
Church doctrine
6} Excel in seminary school.
In seminary,
you'll spend your years studying philosophy, Latin, Greek, Gregorian
chants, dogmatic and moral theology, exegesis, canon law, and church
history, just to get you started. Program length varies based on prior
education and the amount of time you can devote to it, but a typical
student enrolls in four years of graduate-level theology, and zero to
four years of undergraduate philosophy and/or spiritual years.
-
You will also be attending retreats, conferences, and workshops as
regular aspects of your training. You'll be guided on meditation and
solitude and be given adequate time to hone your public speaking skills
7} Become ordained as deacon.
After completing seminary, a bishop may call you to Holy Orders and
ordain you to the ministry. You will now serve as a deacon for at least
six months.
- Don't worry too much about whether you will be
ordained. If there are issues that could prevent your ordination, you
will likely discover them during seminary.
- If you are not chosen
to be a priest or you leave seminary early, you may be able to request a
refund of the tuition. The response depends on seminary policy and your
financial situation.
8} Enter the priesthood. Depending on
your country's tradition, you may enter the priesthood after a
relatively short term or choose to remain as a deacon permanently. There
are multiple forms of priesthood, which you will learn about in detail
during seminary:
- Diocesan priests serve the Church in a
geographic area. This includes parish priests, chaplains, and religious
teachers, among others. They promise celibacy and obedience.
-
Religious priests join the global community of a religious order or
congregation, such as the Benedictines or Franciscans. These priests
make formal vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with some
variation among different orders...
