Joshua Bennett
Entering a Catholic seminary is the first step towards becoming a Catholic priest, a process that takes many years. The Catholic Church teaches that priestly formation is divided into stages, with the preliminary stage being the discipleship stage, during which a person learns what it means to be a true follower of Christ. The next step is the propaedeutic stage, which is a year of prayer and service that allows a man to detach himself from the world and focus on his relationship with Jesus before formally entering the seminary. After this, a man can enter a college seminary, where he will study philosophy and perhaps another related field, before progressing to a major seminary to study theology. The oldest seminary in the western United States is Mount Angel Seminary, located in St Benedict, Oregon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basic Requirements | Single, Catholic male of at least 18 years of age |
| Application Process | References, autobiography, psychological evaluation, health physical, interview |
| Age of Applicants | 18-year-olds, college students, post-college, mid-career, late vocations |
| Background of Applicants | Born Catholic, converts, those who have been away from the Church |
| Duration | 6-8 years |
| Stages | Discipleship, Configuration, Vocational Synthesis |
| Formation | Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, Pastoral |
| Degrees Offered | Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Theology |
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What You'll Learn
Basic requirements
To become a Catholic seminarian, one must be a single, Catholic male of at least eighteen years of age. There is usually no age limit for men entering seminary, and applicants come from diverse backgrounds. Some enter right after high school, while others transfer from college to finish their undergraduate degrees. Some enter after college, after a few years in the workforce, or even after having worked several careers over many years.
The basic requirements for applying to a seminary are references from friends, family, and coworkers, an autobiography, a psychological evaluation, and a health physical. There is also usually an interview of some kind, which may be with the vocations director. The Diocese of Charleston interviews candidates with a board of the bishop, the vocations director, priests, religious, and lay experts from around the diocese.
The Catholic Church divides priestly formation into stages, with the preliminary stage being the discipleship stage. During college seminary, one learns what it means to be a true follower of Christ. At the end of college seminary, one receives a bachelor's degree in philosophy and perhaps a related field or area of interest. The next step is the "configuration stage" of priestly formation, which involves theology studies. Each step of the journey brings a man closer to ordination.
The Vatican now requires seminaries to institute a "propaedeutic stage" of preliminary formation before a man begins seminary life. This stage allows a man to detach himself from the world and focus on his relationship with Jesus, his community, and himself before formally entering the seminary.
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Seminary application process
The seminary application process can be lengthy and thorough, and it varies from seminary to seminary and diocese to diocese. The Catholic Church mandates that for a man to become an ordained priest, he must first study philosophy and then theology. The seminary process in the Diocese of Charleston is around 6-8 years: 2-4 years of philosophy and 4 years of theology.
The first step in the application process is to contact your vocations director, a priest responsible for interviewing candidates. The director will provide a list of requirements, which may include references from friends, family, and coworkers, an autobiography, a psychological evaluation, and a health physical. The next step is a formal interview with the director, which covers personal health and well-being, family and employment history, religious and educational background, and the scope of discernment of the priesthood and the diocese. If the director approves, the candidate will meet with the Bishop, who will then decide whether to schedule an interview with the Seminary Admissions Advisory Committee.
The Vatican now requires seminaries to institute a "propaedeutic stage" of preliminary formation before a man begins seminary life. This stage allows men to detach themselves from the world and focus on their relationships with Jesus, their community, and themselves. During college seminary, men will learn what it means to be a true follower of Christ and decide whether to pursue further seminary formation. At the end of college seminary, men will receive a bachelor's degree in philosophy and can then decide whether to apply for major seminary.
It's important to note that entering major seminary does not mean committing to a lifetime of servitude and celibacy. The early stages of formation are focused on discernment of one's vocation and role as a disciple of Christ. The Catholic Church emphasizes that becoming a priest is a serious decision that requires time and dedication.
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Formation stages
The Catholic Church divides priestly formation into several stages. The first is the preliminary discipleship stage, which involves learning what it means to be a true follower of Christ. This stage is followed by the Propaedeutic Stage, which is an opportunity for a man to detach himself from the world and focus on his relationship with Jesus, his community, and himself before formally entering the seminary. This stage is meant to lay the foundation for a new way of life through prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation.
After the Propaedeutic Stage, seminarians progress to the Discipleship Stage, which involves philosophy studies. Those without a college degree will receive a bachelor's degree in philosophy during this stage. At the end of this stage, seminarians will decide whether to apply for major seminary.
The next stage is the Configuration Stage, in which seminarians model their lives on the self-donation of Jesus Christ as they prepare for Holy Orders. This stage includes deeper contemplation and a more intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to an awareness and assumption of priestly identity. The study of theology occurs during this stage.
The final stage is the Vocational Synthesis Stage, which allows a deacon to enter the life of a cleric, residing in a pastoral setting and incorporating all the formation he has received since his baptism. At this stage, the deacon is ready to assume the duties of full-time ministry.
It is important to note that the formation process is not just about academic studies but also about human, spiritual, and intellectual development. The goal is to shape individuals who are trusted and looked up to by others, have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, and are hungry for knowledge.
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Seminary life
The next stage of seminary life is the Discipleship Stage, which must last at least two years. During this stage, seminarians undergo systematic and rigorous formation with the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through meditation, contemplation, philosophical study, and the training of their character in Christian virtue.
After completing the Discipleship Stage, seminarians enter the Configuration Stage, where their focus shifts from discerning a call to the priesthood to being formed for the priesthood. During this stage, seminarians model their lives on the self-donation of Jesus Christ, preparing for their future role as shepherds and servants of God's people. They enter into a profound contemplation of Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God, sent as the Shepherd of Humanity.
The final stage of seminary life is the Vocational Synthesis Stage, where seminarians receive candidacy and are ordained as deacons. This stage marks the progressive deepening of self-configuration to Christ through liturgy, catechesis, evangelization, and active service to the poor.
Throughout seminary life, seminarians lead busy lives. In addition to master’s-level academics, they pray together at least twice a day, attend daily Mass, meet with their spiritual directors, and engage in pastoral assignments at local parishes. They also participate in special meetings, workshops, and homework. The formation process is designed to be rigorous, as the demands of priesthood are great.
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Ordination
The ordination ceremony is typically held within a Mass, surrounded by family, friends, priests of the diocese, and other religious and lay leaders. The candidate lies prostrate on the floor as the Litany of Saints is sung, symbolising his unworthiness for the office and his dependence on God and the prayers of the Christian community. The ordaining bishop then lays hands on the candidate's head, followed by all the other priests present, and the bishop prays the prayer of consecration. The new priest is then vested in the priestly Mass garments. His hands, which will offer the sacrifice of the Mass, are then anointed with Sacred Oil to prepare him for his sacred duties, such as offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people. The bishop presents him with the bread and wine and offers him a greeting of peace as the other priests welcome him into the Sacred Priesthood.
The process of becoming a priest is a lengthy one, with many years spent in seminary formation. The exact length of time depends on the priest's background and the seminary attended, ranging from five to thirteen years. There are three levels of seminary: high school, college/pre-theology, and theology. Seminary formation focuses on four dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. The human dimension involves shaping the priest into a person others can look to for support and trust. The spiritual dimension entails developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. The intellectual dimension involves a hunger for knowledge of the world, the Church, human culture, and Jesus Christ. Finally, the pastoral dimension involves preparing the priest to care for his flock and lead them to the eternal kingdom of heaven.
After completing their seminary formation, candidates come to the Cathedral for their ordination. It is important to stay positive about receiving ordination after seminary, as any reasons for prohibiting ordination would likely have been encountered during seminary.
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Frequently asked questions
To be considered for entry into a Catholic seminary, one must be a single, Catholic male of at least eighteen years of age.
The application process for seminaries varies. It typically includes references from friends, family, and coworkers, an autobiography, a psychological evaluation, and a health physical. There is also usually an interview with the vocations director.
There are two basic paths for formation as a priest: with or without a college degree. Without a college degree, one would complete four years of College Seminary, then four years of Major Seminary. With a college degree, one would start with the Propaedeutic year, then progress through the other stages for a total of seven to eight years of formation.
The stages of formation in a Catholic seminary include the Propaedeutic Stage, Discipleship Stage, Configuration Stage, and Vocational Synthesis Stage.
Degrees offered at Catholic seminaries include Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Theology.
