Frequently Asked Questions
What do priests do all day?
How important is prayer in a priest's
life?
Is prayer always easy for a priest?
Do priests get time off, and what do they do in that
time?
What is the difference between diocesan and
religious priests?
How long does it take to become a diocesan
priest?
How old do you have to be before you enter the
seminary?
What vows do diocesan priests make?
Does my age make a difference?
Will I be accepted simply because I want to be a
priest?
What kind of education is needed?
What if I have been married?
What if I am a widower?
What if I am divorced?
What if I have children?
What if I have made mistakes in life?
Who will pay for the seminary education?
Do I have to sell my house?
How important is my work background?
What options in priesthood are available?
What's the next step?
What do priests do all
day?
What a priest does with his day is so varied and complex that only
a sampling can be given here. Prayer, work and leisure are all
necessary for a healthy life. We try to make sure we have a balance
of all these, but we don't always succeed.
In the area of work or ministry, many of us have one main occupation, such as parish ministry, which has somewhat regular hours and predictable demands. The unpredictables are also interesting and challenging. They center on meeting the needs of people: the sick, old, angry, hurt, hungry, imprisoned, excited, happy. We share with them our understanding, encouragement and support. We rejoice, cry, and feel with them.
How important is prayer in a
priest's life?
Because we have chosen a way of life, which says by its very
nature that God is most important, prayer has a central role in our
lives. Prayer is communication with the Lord whom we love and is as
necessary for us as communication is for any two persons who expect
their relationship to continue. Can you imagine having a best
friend (or husband or wife) to whom you never spoke?
Since prayer is so important, most priests and religious spend approximately two hours a day in prayer; part of that time with others, at Mass and in common oral prayer; part alone, in reading and quiet attentiveness. The main benefit of prayer is that it makes us more sensitive to God's activity in the people, events and circumstances of daily life.
Is prayer always easy for a
priest?
Definitely not! There are lots of times when we don't feel like
doing other things that are basically important to us; for example,
the athlete doesn't always feel like practicing, a student doesn't
always feel like studying, the wage earner doesn't always feel like
working, etc. However, in all the cases mentioned, because the
activity in which we participate is important, we act on motives
deeper than feelings, and do what we know needs to be done.
Do priests get time off, and
what do they do in that time?
We have approximately the same amount of leisure time as most
adults. In this time, we are free to do whatever is legal, moral
and reasonable for adults in our situation. Obviously, because
priests are unique individuals, we won't all choose the same types
of recreation, and none of us chooses the same activity every time.
Some common choices are sports, movies, TV, reading, sharing with
friends and enjoying the outdoors.
What is the difference between
a diocesan priest and a religious priest?
A diocesan priest ordinarily serves the Church within a
well-defined area (a diocese). He serves the people as a parish
priest, but may also be involved in other forms of ministry:
teaching, chaplain in a hospital or prison, campus ministry,
etc.
A religious priest, on the other hand, is a member of a community, which goes beyond the geographical limits of any diocese. A religious priest seeks to live a vowed life within a community of men for mutual support and accomplishment of some work. There is an emphasis in the community on shared ideals, prayer and commitment to Christ. Religious priests work in a wide variety of ministries.
How long does it take to become
a diocesan priest?
It usually takes four years after college or eight years after
high school, the same as for many professions.
How old do you have to be
before you enter the seminary?
There is no certain age to start preparing for the priesthood.
Some people go to high school seminaries, others enter the seminary
after high school, after college, or after they have been working
for years.
What vows do diocesan priests
make?
Diocesan priests make no vows. For ordination, they freely make
promises of celibacy, prayer, and obedience to their bishop.
Does my age make a
difference?
God can call a person at any age. Many dioceses and religious
communities have age limit requirements, however, and not all
sponsors will accept candidates who cannot be ordained by age 40,
50 or 55. One must check in each case. Nevertheless, many factors
besides one's age are considered and many sponsors judge each case
on an individual basis. The older a person the more concern a
sponsor will have about overall health, ability to support oneself
and contribute financially to seminary education, medical/health
insurance coverage, retirement benefits, and length of expected
ministry. Potential sponsors will address these issues.
Will I be accepted simply
because I want to be a priest?
As with any candidate, younger or older, a desire or sense that
one is called is only one of many significant factors in accepting
a candidate for the seminary. The Church has many requirements,
e.g., academic ability, physical health, mental and spiritual
health, evidence of an ability to live a celibate life, realistic
idea of what is required of a parish priest that is often
demonstrated by a candidate's involvement in a parish community. In
many cases, age becomes an important factor, as noted above. One's
desire for priesthood must be tested, taking into account these
other factors as well as submitting to a process of discernment
needed both by the individual and the sponsor. It is important that
we provide the best possible priests to serve the needs of the
Church.
What kind of education is
needed?
The Catholic Church, in various official documents, has
established the full program of preparation for priesthood.
Requirements include a theological education, as well as an
intensive program of spiritual formation, human formation, and
pastoral preparation. This comprehensive priesthood program is
generally four years in length.
Prerequisite courses in philosophy and undergraduate religious studies are required in order to complete a four-year theology program. If these courses have not been taken previous to entry, this requirement may add one year of pre-theology to the program for a total of five years.
An undergraduate degree (BA or BS) is required to begin a master's level (MDiv) program in a seminary.
What if I have been
married?
A previous marriage does not, by itself, present a problem. In
fact, in many cases, one's marriage can be a significant factor
contributing to a grace-filled priestly ministry.
What if I am a
widower?
Generally, it is advisable to wait one or two years after the
death of a spouse before entering the seminary. This provides
opportunity for grieving, transition and preparing oneself to enter
a new, celibate state of life.
What if I am
divorced?
In itself, a divorce is not an impediment to priesthood. If the
former partner is living, an annulment must be granted before
admission to the seminary. Some dioceses and religious communities
will not accept divorced candidates, but, after careful
examination, many others will.
What if I have
children?
It is important that children be at least 18 years of age and
financially independent of their father before entrance to a
seminary.
What if I have made mistakes
in life?
Priesthood is not just for saints. Actually, the ability to
regularly seek forgiveness and guidance from God is an asset in
one's vocational discernment. It is important to fully disclose
one's history in the application process so that those assisting in
your discernment can be most helpful. Some actions, however, are
impediments to acceptance into a seminary and ordination, for
example, voluntary homicide, procuring an effective abortion or
positive cooperation in either. The same would be true for one who
has been guilty of apostasy, heresy or schism. There are other
crimes or activities, which will prompt hesitancy on the part of
any potential sponsor. In addition, if one has had some other
seriously detrimental behavioral pattern, e.g., alcoholism or
sexual activity, a suitable period of probation must be
demonstrated to assure than one can successfully live a sober and
celibate life. A spiritual director is often of significant help in
discerning one's readiness for seminary life.
Who will pay for the seminary
education?
The answer to this basically depends on the agreement between the
candidate and the sponsor. Each sponsor has policies relative to
how much of the cost they will pay and how they will support the
candidate. For some, it will be a loan; for others, all room, board
and tuition is paid, plus required books. Health insurance is also
a factor to be negotiated with the sponsor.
Do I have to sell my
house?
In general, it is best not to sell anything initially,
particularly a house, until one's vocational decision is
established. Diocesan priests are not required to take a vow of
poverty while religious are. Nonetheless, each case is different.
Some diocesan candidates have kept their house and used it as a
place to go during seminary vacations or for taking a day off, once
they are ordained. Some also intend to keep it for retirement
purposes.
How important is my work
background?
Generally, a sponsor will be looking for some stability or
progress in one's work record. Often a person's past experience can
become a strong asset after ordination, e.g., experience in a
helping or teaching profession, or financial/administrative
experience. On the other hand, if a person has not been successful
at other jobs, it does not present much promise that one will be
able to deal successfully with the challenges of priesthood and
parish ministry.
What options in priesthood
are available?
The needs of the Church today are many. Depending on one's
background, training and previous employment, a great variety of
pastoral opportunities are available. Sponsorship implies that one
will be serving as a priest in that diocese or religious community.
It is important that both the candidate and the sponsor see this as
possible. Important factors might be the area of the country
(climate, topography, etc.), the particular nature or charism of
the sponsor (e.g. rural or urban, ethnic or language needs, unique
ministries; and theological orientation).
What's the next
step?
Because sponsorship is required for seminary admission, contacting
one's diocesan or religious community vocation director is the
place to begin. Often your local pastor can be of help in learning
who to contact and how to follow through.
Adapted from materials published by The National Coalition for Church Vocations and National Religious Vocation Conference, 15420 S Cornell Ave., #105, Chicago, IL 60615-5604.