Age Limit for Seminarians

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ImperfectCatholic

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I am discerning the priesthood. I’m 28 and I probably won’t have a 4 year degree until I’m 31. Am I too old to apply for the seminary?

Side question: I have well-managed depression and anxiety, would these things disqualify me from the seminary?
 
ImperfectCatholic said:
I am discerning the priesthood. I’m 28 and I probably won’t have a 4 year degree until I’m 31. Am I too old to apply for the seminary?

Side question: I have well-managed depression and anxiety, would these things disqualify me from the seminary?
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Depends on the place you apply. I know the diocesan usually cuts off mid-30’s but many orders accept men in their 50’s or older. One of my favorite priests didn’t even start discerning until he retired from a lucrative career in engineering and realized he was missing something.
 
ImperfectCatholic said:
I am discerning the priesthood. I’m 28 and I probably won’t have a 4 year degree until I’m 31. Am I too old to apply for the seminary?
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CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) surveys men being ordained each year in the US. For 2017 the age at which they were being ordained ranged from 25-65. So I think you’re in good company.

For more information see the report at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-te.../upload/ordination-class-2017-cara-report.pdf
 
That’s a relief. In spite of the fact that I’m still young the rate at which the world is going if you’re not getting started in your early 20s you’re too old. I’m glad that the Church isn’t of this world.
 
ImperfectCatholic said:
I am discerning the priesthood. I’m 28 and I probably won’t have a 4 year degree until I’m 31. Am I too old to apply for the seminary?

Side question: I have well-managed depression and anxiety, would these things disqualify me from the seminary?
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I will pray for you.

These are questions for your Parish Vocations Director. Have you spoken with that person yet?

We can’t really answer, we the laity , who are not investigating entering a Seminary you are.
 
I recently asked a Dominican priest this question. He told me that ‘they’re so desperately short of vocations that they’ll take older people these days.’ I’m 30 and he said my age would present no problem if I felt God was calling me.
 
My community takes monks and nuns at all ages. It’s a process that involves going to the main house in Italy though.
 
Roseeurekacross said:
My community takes monks and nuns at all ages. It’s a process that involves going to the main house in Italy though.
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It makes sense to take people at all ages because people are living longer. Plus, people leave home and enter ‘the real world’ much later than they used to. Most of my friends only really began their professional lives in their mid 20s. I suppose I’m trying to say that young people seem to take longer to mature nowadays. It would seem strange to me if a 16 year old to entered seminary these days. I think late vocations are probably best because it gives people a chance to get some life experience and maturity.
 
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Roseeuekacross - I’ve been holding off on that until I get closer to my 4 year degree. I’ll definitely talk to him around August of 2018. I want to be able to show him that not only do I feel the call but that I’ve got the work ethic to back it up. I’m also studying the Bible more closely and I’m learning Ecclesiastical Latin. I can tell him that I love the Church and her teachings and that I want to dedicate my life to the Church as a priest but I’d rather show it.
 
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ImperfectCatholic said:
Roseeuekacross - I’ve been holding off on that until I get closer to my 4 year degree. I’ll definitely talk to him around August of 2018. I want to be able to show him that not only do I feel the call but that I’ve got the work ethic to back it up. I’m also studying the Bible more closely and I’m learning Ecclesiastical Latin. I can tell him that I love the Church and her teachings and that I want to dedicate my life to the Church as a priest but I’d rather show it.
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Why are you waiting so long ? You won’t be under any obligation to follow through. And your discernment process really needs guidance.
 
I agree with Rose. It’s greatly helpful to have guidance in discernment, and sounds like it’s not too early for you to make contact now. Discernment does not happen in a vacuum.

Seminaries do not require a man to be a “finished product” before he darkens their door. You are not the same person today as you were yesterday, nor will you necessarily be the same person tomorrow as you are today. Vocation directors know this. 🙂
 
You’re right. I need spiritual direction from a person who understands the process. I’m going to speak to him soon.
 
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