OK, so about half the people at my confirmation reception were all like, "Brandon, you should be a priest." Yeah. I have thought about from time to time, but never given the idea more than just a passing glance. Yeah. I'm confused kinda I guess. Discernment starts now.

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Prayers.

Make sure to check-out the "discernment for guys" thread pinned above.

Ok, so I'm a tad confused. Could someone please explain the application process and stuff to me?

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Oh, and by the way, that's AWESOME!


(As a woman, I'm afraid I won't be much help to you... but there are a lot of guys around, who know about seminary, as I'm sure you know. So, hopefully they'll get this soon!)

Can I poach you to come and be a priest in the Netherlands? The language isn't that hard and whilst we've already got some excellent seminarians and candidates, more are always welcome

*runs from the screaming hoardes of USAns for trying to pinch their menfolk*

Love and prayers,

PP

I don't know any Dutch, sorry. However Queen Bea seems cool.

Oh pfff. I didn't know any Dutch when I moved here either and I'm pretty good at it now Beatrix isn't half bad: I've heard from a seminarian friend of mine that she's anti-Catholic and has never, ever been nice to Cardinal Simonis, but that's hearsay. Her daughter-in-law (Crown Princess Maxima) is Catholic, although the wedding was in a Protestant church and their two daughters are being brought up as such.

But all right. If you're sure

Love and prayers,

PP

The first thing to do is to call the vocations director of your diocese, or the vocations director of an order you are interested in and let him know you're interested in the priesthood (let him know if you are just thinking about starting discernment, or how long you've been thinking about it.) The vocations director isn't just the boss of all the seminarians; he's there to help anyone discern their own call to any vocation.
He'll probably want to schedule a meeting with you, to get to know you, and possibly set you on a good path for discernment. For me, the actual application process involved a long application that I had to fill out, complete with medical records and proof of reception of sacraments. The important thing to remember is nothing is final. Most seminarians are in the seminary because they believe God might be calling them to the priesthood. It's a continuous path of discernment, even through the seminary life. God Bless you for considering the call...

I'm actually taking a few years off from the seminary, and I'm going to a community college right now, but this is the site for the diocese i was studying for. They have a link to get a free cd on vocations, and its actually pretty helpful.

Thanks. I'm in my junior of High School, and if I would decide to attend Seminary, when would I have to tell my diocese? Also who pays for it?

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This I can help you with from my experiences with Seminarian friends. It depends on if you are interested in diocescen priesthood or religious life, possibly including priesthood.

If diocescen:

Q. Who pays for it?
A. Totally depends on the diocese. Ask the VD.

Q. When do you "tell" them?
A. They are involved in the application process --you have to be approved. In other words, it's not an automatic, "I want to do this, so I get to do this" sort of thing. You are a seminarian FOR the diocese. Contact the diocescen VD now --it's not too soon.

If religious:
Start looking at communities and talk to the VDs there. For ideas, ask us, or contact the VD for your diocese.

Check the website for your diocese. There should be more info there as well.
Pax.

I know I want to stay, here in this diocese, but there's only a couple of male communities and I wasn't really into them. So I guess I contact the diocese. Also my grades aren't the best, could that be a hidderence?

Some dioceses and religious orders sometimes put on vocations fairs or retreats. The Diocese of Rockford has one in St. Charles, IL in February and an annual Vocations camp in the summer.

As to the paying, my diocese required me to pay for the first two years and they pay for the last six (depending on how many years we needed with regards to previous college education) There's always people at parishes willing to help seminarians out as well. A friend of mine went around the diocese to ask for financial assistance, and it has so far worked out well for him.

But then again, I know many dioceses pay for everything if you study for them (some of them, however, require you to fill out a loan form every semester which they don't require payment if you were ordained)

I always found it pretty confusing to get all the finance stuff down, and thats why the VD always said it will be taken care of somehow.



grades aren't usually a problem at all. As long as your willing to work towards the education... it's not like the schooling is the final end. The main purpose is the spiritual formation.

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It could be, but it will just depend on your situation. Regardless, the VD will probably want you to work abit harder to get them up since seminary is hard-work! But fun, they tell me too! See if they send your guys (guys from your diocese) to minor sem like at SJV (I'm a HUGE fan of SJV Seminary). In that case, you need to be accepted to the University as well.

Check it out at: www.vianney.net

My diocese has seminarians all over the place. And I's really like to attend St. Thomas, which has a Seminary called St. Paul's.

Well seems like I got here to late and all your questions were answered. Anyway I know how confusing it can be to discern/apply to a seminary so you will be in my prayers
God Bless

Do you mean the major seminary -St. Paul Seminary, in St. Paul MN at (near) the University of St. Thomas? Or another St. Thomas?

I can vouch for Monsignor Callahan, Rector, Fr. Peter Laird, Vice Rector, Dr. Christopher Thompson Academic Dean, and a handful of the new staff e.g. Fr. Andrew Cozzens. It was suspect over there for a few years, but they are fixing things up BEAUTIFULLY!

Thanks. Exactly how long does seminary take? Also do you choose the the school or does the diocese?



That's the one.

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Right SJV is the Minor Seminary there and SPS is the Major. Your VD may want to send you to either. As far as who chooses, usually a diocese has a seminary where they primarily send their men. However, it sounds like your Diocese has a bit more flexibilty so you may be able to "make a request" for SJV/SPS.

I'm a recent graduate of St. Thomas and have friends at SPS and SJV. So, if I can answer questions about any of that PM me

As I thought about it I realized, I don't think they would send a man your age without an undergraduate degree to SPS... you need to have to many pre-reqs in philosophy and theology to begin, which you would do at St. Thomas. In all likelihood, they would send you to SJV (accross Campus) and here's what they have to say:

Becoming a Seminarian

1) Contacting Your Vocation Director
If you feel that the Lord is calling you to explore the vocation of priesthood, you should first get in contact with the vocation director of your diocese. Your vocation director will be closely involved with you and your development while you are discerning your vocation. Usually your pastor will be able to help you get in contact the vocation director of your diocese. Otherwise, the vocation director?s contact information is usually listed on a vocations page on the website of your diocese (see Links). The vocations page of your diocesan website is also a great place to learn more about vocations in your diocese in general. (To see what diocese you are in, go to www.diocesenet.com)

2) Learning About Vocations
Once you get in contact with your vocation director, he will be able to give you more information about the priesthood and help you discern what path God is calling you to follow in life. Your vocation director will tell you about any special events in your area sponsored by your diocesan vocations office that are aimed at promoting the vocation to priesthood, and helping men hear the call of the Lord in their lives. Such events may include discernment groups, special dinners with the bishop, vocation retreats, guest speakers, and visits to seminaries. Many dioceses come to St. John Vianney Seminary for our bi-annual Vianney Visits. (If you are a young man of the St. Paul ? Minneapolis area, come to Team Vianney!)

3) Applying to Your Diocese
Once you feel that you are called to enter the seminary, your vocation director will help you begin the process of becoming a seminarian. First, you will usually have to submit an application with some referrals to your diocesan vocation office. Then, your vocation director (and/or others) will try to get a better picture of who you are by interviewing you. Most dioceses require applicants to take a psychological examination sometime during this stage. Again, your vocation director will provide particular information about requirements for becoming a seminarian in your diocese.

After your diocesan vocation office reviews your application, interview, psychological exam, and any other information they may have collected, they will decide whether they feel you are a good candidate for the seminary. If they accept your application and sponsor you, they will forward your application information to the seminary along with a letter of recommendation. To complete this part of the process, you will probably need to fill out a short application to the seminary itself.

4) Applying to the University of St. Thomas
Each diocese decides which seminaries they send their seminarians to, and not all send their seminarians to St. John Vianney. If your diocese does send their college seminarians to St. John Vianney, you will need to apply to become a student at the University of St. Thomas (for more information, go to www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/index.cfm).

5) Acceptance
When your diocese and the seminary both accept your application, and when the University of St. Thomas accepts you as a student, you will then have officially become a seminarian for your diocese at St. John Vianney Seminary!

~http://www.vianney.net/content.asp?id=12

Ok, so St John isbasicly an undergrad school? And St. Paul is a grad school?

Right. SJV is "minor" aka undergrad and SPS is "major" aka graduate. Since you're coming right out of high school, it seems they'd put you in at SJV. Phatmasser Pio Nino is an SJV graduate, who is at Mundelein Major Seminary now. I'm sure you could pm him. Pmer daf is in the processes of applying to SJV (I think he's up there making a trip with his vd and another guy now actually) and he'd be good to talk with as well.

Best,
V

thanks

I'm trying get the nerve to email the diocese's VD

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Honestly, there's nothing to fear. He's (vd) all about helping --no committment!



You can do it!

I don't if I can or not. I'm much to shy.

I just became Catholic this past Easter Vigil. Through the RCIA process, I became increasingly serious about the priesthood, although the only step I made was expressing interest with the Conventual Franciscians at my parish. Then back in April I met this girl and we dated for three months, so naturally the priesthood slipped farther and farther back in my mind during that time. Even though we're no longer dating, I'm pretty torn between marriage and priesthood, but I feel the calling towards the latter is strong enough that I'm going to get in touch with my diocese's vocations office about discernment (along with looking into the Franciscans). More than anything, they should help me be more sure about whatever decision I make.

Some of the best priests I know are very, very shy and still battle with it years after ordination. They see their shyness as something they have to live with but not be afraid of.

If you really believe the Spirit wants you to contact him - despite your nerves - then take courage and jump. Chances are you'll look back and realise the fall was hardly anything to worry about, and there was no chance of being hurt when you got to the bottom.

Love and prayers,

PP

catholicinsd, are there diocesan events you can go to (without too much difficulty) to get to know the people who work for your diocese and your diocesan seminarians? I read that in some diocese the bishop was having the children in the Catholic schools be pen-pals with the seminarians. It's a cool idea, and you might want to consider it. It's never fun to try to contact people you don't know.

I live in a city (I don't know if you do), and ever since I joined my diocesan-wide youth group and went to WYD 2002, I've really started to go to diocesan events and know the people involved in the diocese.

As for your being shy, you might want to consider becoming a catechist. When we started a catechetical program in my parish, we needed catechists, so I got drafted (my aunt and my mom were the other ones that first year). It really helped with my shyness and with my ability to express myself. It would give a bunch of other skills that would be useful as a priest. I started teaching when I was 17, and one of my sisters started some years later, when she was 15, although she had been a helper from the beginning. If you don't feel you're ready to teach, you can start by helping, which is a good way to get into it in any case.

Anyway, those are just some suggestions of what you can do right now:
-get involved in your parish,
-get involved in your diocese,
-get to know the other people who are involved, including priests and seminarians.

Oh, and of course, pray everyday (say a Hail Mary everyday for your vocation, or something).

I'm proabably not going to. This whole thing with Cathurain has very upset. If I were truly called I could have brought Ashley home a long time ago.

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I don't know about Ashley or Carthurian, but your logic and theology here is faulty --just another reason to got to the seminary (study both)!

NO ONE, brings anyone else home!!!!!!! It is GOD's GRACE A L O N E !!! We might like to think that we do, but NONE of us have that power! ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT.

So, don't fall prey to Satan --the last thing he wants you to be is a priest and he would love for you to think because you aren't something you could never be (God) you can't be a priest! Now, this doesn't mean you ARE , but what you mentioned is NOT an indication that you aren't!! If it was, no man would be "truly called"!

(Forgive all the caps and exclamations --but this is REALLY important!)

Fight the good fight!

I have friends at SJV. The Diocese of Lansing (MI) sends them all the way out there.

Dude,
Whether or not you feel that you're going to become a priest, you still should get involved in your local Catholic community. The stuff I suggested is just good ideas for growing in your faith and as a person, and to help you (and the Church, to some extent) discern whether God is calling you to the priesthood. Getting depressed because you're not a Super-Catholic isn't going to get you very far.
You know, God cares more that you do what He calls you to do than that you get the results you think you're supposed to get.

Besides, do you remember when Didacus started a thread for a priest he knew, asking us why we are Catholic? The answers all had something to do with God being so important in our lives. In fact, if I remember correctly, the lack of arguments was so overwhelming that the priest commented on it. It’s not that we don’t have arguments (obviously); rather it’s that, while arguments can convince minds, they don’t convince persons. And they cannot remove fear. Only grace can do that. We are called to evangelize. We should know our arguments. Of course, we should pray. But after we have done all that we can do, we shouldn’t worry too much about it. The result is not in our hands.

I'm active in a number of things throughout my church and school. But it seems the more I do the more confused I get.

And I'd really like attend St. Thomas, even if not for Semenairy, but the annuall cost is about 25,000- way too much for me & my family.

Call your Vocations Director. A Vocations Director is NOT just about finding priest. Their job is to help discern which vocation you are called to and sometimes even the Vocation within the Vocation. If you are not willing to do that then at least ask your priest about helping you find a Spiritual Director, and grow in that way. Spiritiual Direction is very key to discerning a vocation. I used to go once every three weeks I had to stop while I'm going through military training)

Fear is a natural part of accepting a Vocation. God does not call the qualified, he will qualifies those who he calls. Again depending on the Dioces, some pay for ALL, or Half of college costs if you are in the minor Seminary even. If you feel God calling you to the seminary at least talk to someone n your dioces who can answer your questions.

peace be with you

Does you diocese have a group for men considering the priesthood (not already in the seminary) that meets every so often with the vocations director to support each other and help discern? I think we have something like that here... not that I've ever really checked.

What are you confused about? Why do you want to become a priest, and why don't you want to? etc.

I don't know if they do or not.



Everything pretty much



Because I know there is a need. And when considering the future the priesthood is the only thing that pops at me. But it seems too hard for me.

I can related to the need for priests being part of your motivation (I feel the same way), but it really isn't a good reason for becoming a priest. The only reason for following a vocation is because God called you. Of course, it's not usually clear, but it's good to have doubts now because when they are finally resolved, you'll know for sure that you're doing the right thing. The thought goes through my head that I'll be disappointing people if I end up getting married, but the bottom line is we can't go wrong by honestly following God. Christ will ensure that we have enough priests.

Besides, numbers aren't what matters. We had plenty of priests and religious back in the 50's, but they sure weren't the most loyal bunch judging by the mass exodus during the following couple of decades (pun intended ).

I've visited St. Thomas/Vianney, it's a pretty cool campus. It's a good school. However, you could always come to Atchison KS! Benedictine College is amazing...well I don't GO there, I'm only a junior in high school, too, but Benedictine is a good place for spiritual formation, I think it is a good place for discernment. I too have been thinking about whether I should go to a seminary college, but I have pretty much decided that I dont NEED to decide now, and I am definitely not ready for a seminary. So I am probably going to go to Benedictine and continue my discernment there, with spirtual direction from the monks (gosh I love monks) and if I decide that the priesthood IS for me, I will probably look around a bit, because I am not totally sure that I want to stay in my diocese. I might go to Nebraska, or I might join an order. I just need to know more about individual orders. I know I don't want to be a Benedictine....so anyway yep there's a ton to think and pray about, but you don't have to go to or stay in Minnesota! Come to Kansas!

Fr. Benedict Groeschel says benidictine colleges is one of the good ones of the Catholic higher education system. That coupled with Archbishop Naumen inviting me to attend give me confidence in that school.

-sorry for the side track, but it's sorta relavent.

Brandon,

A few other things.

Which seminary you attend will depend on a few things:

1) Do you wish to join an order or serve as a diocesan priest?

2) If you join an order, each order is different as far as their training programs. Each order may have different novitiate periods, and different seminaries/priestly training and formation programs. You will also want to decide which of the myriad of orders you wish to join.

3) If you wish to go diocesan, contact your diocesan vocations director. In Chicago, you are ordained after completing 4 years post-grad at Mundelein seminary, and in order to atend there you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, plus 1 year or pre-seminary theology/philosophy if you did not study the approved equivalent at a Catholic college.

Of course, no matter what path you look for you have to wrestle with whether or not you can handle the "big C" for the rest of your life.

Yeah, I don't know if I can or not.

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You don't have to make that decision now.

Talk to the VD. If he's good, he won't want you to join the sem if God doesn't. Just talk to him! Contact is NOT a committment to join the sem or be a priest. Before you decide, "I can't be celibate for the rest of my life" you should ask a few more questions and learn a bit more --don't limit God! Again, maybe you're not being called and that's okay! Obviously, not everyone is... but give God a chance!



Blessings!

I'd rather make it now, so, if it's God's will, I can go to college semenairy, rather than wasting time and money on regular college




Yeah, I'm too very shy.

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It would be nice if we said to God, "Lord, what is my vocation?" and a neon sign flashed accross the sky. But, in the words of Fr. Baer, rector of SJV, "God works very s l o w l y!" My point, is that you don't have to force yourself to make a decision about celibacy, which your spiritual and physical maturity may not allow you to make clearly. So, pray a lot, and if you feel God prompting you towards the seminary --give yourself a chance to grow in virtue, which will allow you to do things you never thought possible, i.e. celebacy. On the other hand, chastity is required no matter what your vocation (even during marriage), so focus on learning it and improving it now.

Trust God!!! This is about His Grace! PRAY!!!!!!!

I can second that. I haven't a clue what I'm going to be/do, and it can be exceedingly frustrating. But I think God just wants us to trust Him. He doesn't seem to like giving us the whole picture -- it's more like He leads us step by step.

Do you know someone who could introduce you to the VD? You do know that you don't have to have it all figured out before you approach him, right? Tell him you're considering becoming a priest, and you want to attend the college seminary, but you don't know how that could be feasible for you. I know that sometimes there are groups or individuals that help sponsor seminarians' education, and there might be some sort of work-study program or something. Basically, there might be a way you can go there, and you don't have to figure out whether or not you're going to become a priest before you try. God shows us things a little bit at a time. Unless the only reason you want to go there is in case you will become a priest (so that you don't waste money), I'd say to definitely go for it.

Oh, and I'm shy, too. Or I used to be, and I still hate approaching people. I feel so unsure of myself. But teaching has helped me get over a lot of the shyness.

It's shyness about talking to the VD, but its also shyness about telling my parents. My birth-father and step-mother are Prostetants, my step-father is non-praticing Catholic, and my mom only attends Mass once in a while.

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I can totally relate to that! My parents have not been practicing anything my entire life --in fact, I'd never heard them speak about God! My sisters, on the other hand, are hard-core evangelical protestants. In the end, I was amazed at how supportive they all were when I told them I was applying to the convent! (It was difficult, and I didn't rush the announcement, but I knew God came first, even over pleasing my parents or confusing them -and He blessed that fidelity and devotion!)

In the end, it's brought us all closer together and it has been an evangelization tool for my parents as well --in that I'm not afraid to reference and explain God and the Church with them because they know how serious I am about Him!