Advice For Someone Applying to Seminary

  • Thread starter Thread starter ATeutonicKnight
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ATeutonicKnight

Guest
As I said in my other thread, after three years of discernment I’m applying for the seminary. I have my first meeting with the vocations director on May 6th, and I was wondering if any seminarians or priests have any advice to give? My spiritual director has been wonderful help in this department, but I’d like to be as prepared as possible.
 
Hello, Teutonic Knight, and congratulations.

One thing to have always before you in your conversations with the rectors of the seminary and directors is the understanding that a seminary is not merely a school wherein one may acquire knowledge. You can easily get all the knowledge that you’d acquire in seminary from a college or university. Only in the environment of a seminary may the habits and virtues of piety and self-discipline, so essential to the clerical state, be developed well.

Good luck to you, and God bless.
 
Just keep in mind that the decision to discern isn’t yours alone, but belongs both to you and the Church. Sometimes, seminarians (and those discerning entry into seminary) feel so strongly that they’re called to the priesthood that they forget that their formators get to have a say in it, too.

Stay humble; be willing to accept what the rector says, come what may. And trust that, whatever it is, it is the will of God for you… 😉
 
Gorgias said:
Just keep in mind that the decision to discern isn’t yours alone, but belongs both to you and the Church. Sometimes, seminarians (and those discerning entry into seminary) feel so strongly that they’re called to the priesthood that they forget that their formators get to have a say in it, too.

Stay humble; be willing to accept what the rector says, come what may. And trust that, whatever it is, it is the will of God for you… 😉
Click to expand...
Oh yes, this is definitely some of the best advice a person can give someone like me. It’s very easy to get attached to the idea that you’re going to the seminary and you might become a priest, but you have to keep reminding yourself that simply going to the seminary is a privilege. Everyone tells me that me getting in is pretty much a sure thing, but I need to stay humble and remember that going is a privilege, not a right. I’m confident that I’ll probably get in, but I’m also okay with being told that I’m not going to, and I have a back-up plan for this exact scenario.
 
May God smile always at you while on your discerning journey to follow Our Lord more closely, what a privilege.

Stay close to the Lord and He wont let you down.
 
Prepare to be challenged.

Be authentic.

Remember that thou art dust and to dust you shall return.

Don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s all small stuff).
 
Prepare to be changed
Be open to being changed
Trust that those responsible for your formation have your best interests at heart
Be open to dialogue with your formators - tell them what’s on your mind
Get a good SD
Remember - no seminary (or seminarian for that matter) is perfect
Let go and trust God
Don’t hurry and don’t be too holy

And most importantly, enjoy yourself!
 
Captain_America said:
I think you’re enormously lucky!
Click to expand...
Haha, thank you! My first meeting with the vocation director is May 6th, and from there he’ll speak to some people and see if I should go ahead with the application process.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top