Architectural Priest

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JohnAnthony

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Friends,
Question for anyone who can answer it. I am currently in college majoring in architecture. I believe I have a vocation to the priesthood and have had it for a while, since the 7th grade was when I first thought about it, but have been pushing it to the back of my mind. Recently, after having a girlfriend for two years with the idea still coming to mind, I had to end the relationship to pursue my discernment until i figure things out. I began talking to a priest about it already. I still have two more years of school and do want to finished it. My major is something I really enjoy and am talented in along with my gift in art. I also feel I would enjoy the priesthood very much as well, sometimes even more than I would with architecture, because I love God, love studying theology, love the catholic church, and enjoy helping and teaching.
My main question is is there any religious order, any order, or anything in the priesthood that i could do with a degree in architecture? Would i be wasting my art/architecture talent that God gave me or is my true talent and purpose in the priesthood which I have yet to discover? What can i do for the next 2.5 years of college during this discernment (I am a junior now, my major is 5 years)? Thanks you and God bless.
-John
 
Hopefully you can design churches and related buildings so that they lead to the most uplifting form of worshipping God through the architectural expression of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

I’ve recently joined a new parish. Fascinatingly, one important consideration as to why I chose the new parish is because of the architectural renovation project currently in progress … and I mentioned this point personally to the pastor while pledging financial support.

The one misgiving I had earlier about joining the parish was that on walking in, you’d be overwhelmed by the feeling of “It’s so … PINK !!!” However, the architectural renovation project is going to fix this by replacing the pink with a majestic burgundy color scheme, authentic marble, and giving the tabernacle a better place of honor by moving the tabernacle up on the main altar closer to the center.

God bless you as you discern your vocation, JohnAnthony.

~~ the phoenix
 
I doubt there is an order with which to pursue architecture, but that certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t. There is a priest/“liturgical designer” out there (Fr. Richard Vosko) who has made a living out of liturgical design (though he is not an architect, and his design works will recieve little praise from me). Its still a similar field as he has worked on church renovations and “worship-space” (blech) interiors. Perhaps you can use your talents to create beautiful and inspiring churches for us to worship in, all the while serving as a priest. It would be difficult and would likely involve travel (unless you choose stay in a single area), but I think it can be done.

ps-Fr. Vosko is a controversial figure. You may invite the same controversy if you decide to become a priestchetect, but perhaps you can bring some life into liturgical architecture.
 
There are priests with all sorts of undergraduate degrees. It may be something as simple as designing a shed behind a parishioner’s house, or you may be involved in a project to design a new church. All that matters is that you have enough philosophy credits. Some dioceses (maybe all of them now- I don’t know- I just know mine does) require practically enough Philosophy credits for a major in it. That would probably be impractical for you to get while an undergrad. If your diocese does it this way, they will have a pre-theologiate program that seminarians who already have degrees can go through to get their philosophy credits at a minor seminary before they go on to theology school (major Seminary) Contact the vocations director for your diocese- he will be able to tell you more. Most importantly, pray.
 
Perhaps you ought to write to:

PR blurb: " Steven Schloeder has written a book in which he attempts to capture what he describes as the ‘true spirit of the Second Vatican Council’ in architectural design for churches. Schloeder identifies difficulties in theology and liturgy that have, in his opinion, translated also in problem architecturally. With regard to modernism, he states, ‘Many prominent Catholic thinkrs have not discerningly separated the wheat from the chaff and have accepted certain secondary issues as primary ones.’ Among these are issues of the Eucharist being a sacrificial meal vs. a communal one, or the difference between the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of all being downplayed - these and others are issues that he discusses briefly in theological and historical terms, but quickly develops the way in which architecture shapes and is shaped by such ideas…"

and see what he offers as advice. His book is available through Ignatius Press if I remember correctly. And this website may offer some ideas also.

liturgicalenvirons.com/home.asp
 
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JohnAnthony:
Friends,
Question for anyone who can answer it. I am currently in college majoring in architecture. I believe I have a vocation to the priesthood and have had it for a while, since the 7th grade was when I first thought about it, but have been pushing it to the back of my mind. Recently, after having a girlfriend for two years with the idea still coming to mind, I had to end the relationship to pursue my discernment until i figure things out. I began talking to a priest about it already. I still have two more years of school and do want to finished it. My major is something I really enjoy and am talented in along with my gift in art. I also feel I would enjoy the priesthood very much as well, sometimes even more than I would with architecture, because I love God, love studying theology, love the catholic church, and enjoy helping and teaching.
My main question is is there any religious order, any order, or anything in the priesthood that i could do with a degree in architecture? Would i be wasting my art/architecture talent that God gave me or is my true talent and purpose in the priesthood which I have yet to discover? What can i do for the next 2.5 years of college during this discernment (I am a junior now, my major is 5 years)? Thanks you and God bless.

-John
Click to expand...
Hay, John.

Hook up with Fr. Richard Houston at Good Shepherd Parish in San Diego (Mira Mesa).

He was and Architect prior to joining the Priesthood (late vocations) and perhaps can develop a dialog for guidance.

Richard
 
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