Are you supposed to go to seminary right after high school?

[hamburglar]

I see many posts by 18 and 19 year olds saying they will enter seminary in the fall. I had always thought that you would get an undergraduate degree in a regular college first, so I never even considered looking to enter right after high school. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[pumpkinbeast]

Go if you feel the call. Don’t go if you don’t. Some orders take as many as 12 years of training, so starting earlier is probably better. I think many seminaries allow priests-to-be to earn some sort of degree during the training.

 

[Epsilon_Omega]

Both is acceptable, but for how long the seminary takes (and how ready you are) depends on what diocese you are from and what seminary. I am personally gonna go to Franciscan University of Steubenville for 4 years of theology and for some philosophy classes and then I might enter seminary after that. Talk to your priest or diocesan vocations director if you can.

 

[chicago]

It all depends upon how we define “seminary”.

The “Major Theologate” Seminary is essentially a 4 - 5 graduate program of study in serious theological/biblical/practicum matters which leads directly to ordination. However, before this there are philospohical studies which must be completed. (These might be accomplished as part of a traditional undergraduate college study or as a stand alone program.) And, over the course of several years, there is spiritual formation, ministerial apostolates, and continual discernment of call.

Each Seminary is set up in a unique way and focuses on these things how it sees fit. And each diocese or order does likewise in determining a program for advancement in the vocation and discernment.

Some seminaries have both theological and philosophical training all as part of one big school. So, it will typically take about 8 years to get through all that. Someone could certainly enter at that the age of 18.

Then there are college seminaries, which are houses and programs of study, formation, and discernment which allow you to explore the possibility of the priesthood while getting a college degree (and doing the philosophical work).

Traditionally, especially in the U.S., we also have had “preparatory” seminaries. Often, these took on the shape of high school programs where a boy could learn the basics which would lead him towards more serious study and discernment as he advanged in age. It was a form of early training and recruitment for the priesthood, recognizing that God often calls from a tender age.

Sadly, most of the high school seminaries are now gone. But there remain a few programs which introduce and prepare young people or those with special needs (such as immigrants who have to be inculturated and get the English language solidified) which can be considered “preparatory”.

So, really, one can enter into what amounts to a program of discernment and seminary training at about any age, from 12 or 13 on. It just depends upon what is available and appropriate for the individual.

 

[hamburglar]

I actually just got back yesterday from scheduling all of my college classes in for the fall. I’m going to a small Catholic college. Just a standard undergraduate college.

I want to be a biochemist or a priest. I figured I would not want to commit myself to the priesthood, as I am still having trouble accepting that I would never be married. Anyway, I am taking a biology class, a chemistry class, a theology class, and a philosophy class. I figured that covered all possibilities. But is it alright to enter seminary with a dual major in Biology and Theology?

Also, when you are prepared to enter seminary, do you “register” through an order? I don’t want to commit myself to a certain diocese, I’d rather be assigned to one through the order.

 

[chicago]

I actually just got back yesterday from scheduling all of my college classes in for the fall. I’m going to a small Catholic college. Just a standard undergraduate college.

I want to be a biochemist or a priest. I figured I would not want to commit myself to the priesthood, as I am still having trouble accepting that I would never be married. Anyway, I am taking a biology class, a chemistry class, a theology class, and a philosophy class. I figured that covered all possibilities. But is it alright to enter seminary with a dual major in Biology and Theology?

In order to eventually enter the major theologate down the road, you will need to have certain prerequisites met. If they aren’t met in college, then you’ll have to play catch up on them eventually.

Each seminary is different. Some college level programs will direct you specifically on a road of studies towards the priesthood (with obvious adjunct classes to assist in overall human development of knowledge base). Others will allow you to have a regular major which may not be in the specific category of philosphy and such, while making sure that you get those credits.

In entering a seminary, you are not definitively commited to anything but discernment. The common error which most people make is to think that a man’s mind is absolutely made up and all of his difficulties have been definitively sorted through such that in attending a seminary, it’s all but a done deal and a matter of time before he gets ordained. No. It’s really not at all like that. Rather, it is a group of guys struggling to find themselves, God’s will in their lives, the plan He has for their lives. They are open to and pursuing a potential vocation to the priesthood, but it is understood that at any time they could leave or be asked to leave if it just isn’t working out. Nor is everything always honky dorey. Rather, there are natural ups and downs, successes and trials, good times and bad. One day you feel particularly drawn to be a priest, a month later you wonder whether you ought to just give it all up and find a job and wife. It’s a process and takes time.

Also, when you are prepared to enter seminary, do you “register” through an order? I don’t want to commit myself to a certain diocese, I’d rather be assigned to one through the order.

You don’t just “enter seminary”. While, in a sense, I do wish that there was more in the way of generalized seminary programs for men who are discerning vocations but unsure of particular paths, typically seminary attendance is under the sponsorship of either a diocese of an order. While it is possible to transfer one’s commitment to another diocese or order somewhere along the line, it’s not always practical. What a man does, then, is to engage in some prleliminary discernmemt as to where, in particular, he feels called. Then he starts on the path of affiliation with such that may lead them to sending him to seminary. Some seminaries may take one at an early level into their wings and under their own diocese/order’s sponsorship as a way of fostering their discernment, however. So you’d have to talk to the admissions directors of any particular institution as to their policy.

If you are serving in a diocese, you are ultimately in some ways attendant to it’s bishop while you are there (even if your service is as part of a religious community), particularly if you are involved in public or parish ministry. However, if your desire is to join a religious order, then it should be because of your own attraction to that life and brotherhood first and foremost.

 

[church_child]

Hamburglar,

I am one of those 18 year olds who said that they were entering seminary in the fall, and I wanted to give you some insight into what I’m planning on doing and the specifics.

I am entering a diocesan college seminary, and it’s what my Vocations Director calls a “revolving door” or “open door” seminary. Basically, I’m the one that opened the door to come, and I’m the one that can open the door to leave. If you’re at seminary, it’s because you WANT to be there and you have a personal desire to discern there. No contracts, no forced agreements.

Now, I must say, my diocese went over me with a fine tooth comb. I had background checks, traffic records examined, a psychological examination with personality tests, a physical from a physician, an autobiography I had to write, and three different references. That doesn’t include the forms that I had to fill out for the Diocese. Basically, I felt like I had just applied for the CIA when everything was said and done. However, after seeing what I had to do, I realized that all those things were done so that neither myself or the Church were wasting their time with me. They examined me so closely to make sure there was nothing hindering me from getting the most out of seminary and nothing that would cause the Church or the seminary staff any problems. I know the guys I’ll be living with are great guys because they jumped through all the same hoops I did to get where I am, and it takes a quality man to do that.

Regarding majors, I am a Philosophy major with a minor in Political Science. The Church requires 30 undergraduate credit hours of Philosophy and 12 undergrad hours of Theology for a man to become a major seminarian. With that said, if you want to study something else and you thing that priesthood is something that is a possibility for you, you will be SEVERELY hindered later on if you don’t major in philosophy. It’s really the only way at any normal college or university to get all the credit hours in. You could also double major, but taking that option would require that you stay away from any loaded guns…you’re going to want to kill yourself with all the work. However, that’s your choice. Now, one of the questions I asked my Vocations Director was why the Church wanted so many credits of philosophy and only 12 credits of theology. The reason is this: In priestly formation, your undergraduate education is saturated with philosophy because to properly study theology at an advanced level, you need to learn how to THINK. It sounds weird, but you almost need to mentally train yourself for the concepts that they throw at you at major seminary and you can only do that sufficiently with a good deal of philosophy under your belt.

Yup, that’s about the size of a novel haha. Good luck with everything and God bless. Keep it holy brother!

 

[hamburglar]

In entering a seminary, you are not definitively commited to anything but discernment. The common error which most people make is to think that a man’s mind is absolutely made up and all of his difficulties have been definitively sorted through such that in attending a seminary, it’s all but a done deal and a matter of time before he gets ordained. No. It’s really not at all like that. Rather, it is a group of guys struggling to find themselves, God’s will in their lives, the plan He has for their lives. They are open to and pursuing a potential vocation to the priesthood, but it is understood that at any time they could leave or be asked to leave if it just isn’t working out. Nor is everything always honky dorey. Rather, there are natural ups and downs, successes and trials, good times and bad. One day you feel particularly drawn to be a priest, a month later you wonder whether you ought to just give it all up and find a job and wife. It’s a process and takes time.

Actually, my youth minister was in seminary but ended up feeling called to married life and youth ministry.

You don’t just “enter seminary”. While, in a sense, I do wish that there was more in the way of generalized seminary programs for men who are discerning vocations but unsure of particular paths, typically seminary attendance is under the sponsorship of either a diocese of an order. While it is possible to transfer one’s commitment to another diocese or order somewhere along the line, it’s not always practical. What a man does, then, is to engage in some prleliminary discernmemt as to where, in particular, he feels called. Then he starts on the path of affiliation with such that may lead them to sending him to seminary.

I want to learn to celebrate the TLM, but what if there is no Church in the diocese that celebrates this?

 

[RobNY]

I want to be a biochemist or a priest. I figured I would not want to commit myself to the priesthood, as I am still having trouble accepting that I would never be married. Anyway, I am taking a biology class, a chemistry class, a theology class, and a philosophy class. I figured that covered all possibilities. But is it alright to enter seminary with a dual major in Biology and Theology?

Absolutely. I know a brilliant priest who is a biologist with a PhD from MIT. He teaches biology at my college, in fact.

Perhaps your calling is not one or the other, but both.

Also, when you are prepared to enter seminary, do you “register” through an order? I don’t want to commit myself to a certain diocese, I’d rather be assigned to one through the order.

It’s not that simple, and if you enter an order you could potentially do anything-- you would be under a vow of obedience.

If you want to be a secular priest, then yes, your individual diocese is where to go.

But, if you want to be a religious priest, or if you are potentially interested, you’ll have to discern which religious order is right for you. Take a look at the charisms of the Dominicans, the Carmelites, the Fransicans, the Jesuits, etc. and see what you like and what you don’t like. Honestly look them over, and keep an open mind.

I want to learn to celebrate the TLM, but what if there is no Church in the diocese that celebrates this?

Whether TLM can be celebrated is up to the local bishop. Under the current system, it is up to the bishop to allow an indult for it to be practiced or not. You’d have to check first that the particular diocese allowed it by indult. Even if they did, there is a possibility that a future bishop could withdraw the indult.

However, there are also “traditionalist” Catholic orders which train men specifically for TLM. Look at both the FSSP and the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, as options for this.

Wanting to celebrate TLM is a worthy thing, but be open to the possiblity of a different order even if you may not be able to celebrate TLM.

-Rob

 

[chicago]

Actually, my youth minister was in seminary but ended up feeling called to married life and youth ministry.

Which is fine and good. Seminary is about discernment of call. The emphasis of this “dating” process is geared towards the priesthood. But one may discover in going more deep into discernment that he called somewhere else. Indeed, there are many men who do not proceed on to become priests that were once seminarians. This is perfectly normal and expected.

I want to learn to celebrate the TLM, but what if there is no Church in the diocese that celebrates this?

It is probably not very likely that the average seminary is going to teach this. (For that matter they aren’t really going to teach “practicum” of celebrating the NO Mass until fairly late in the game, as one nears the end of seminary studies and ordination.) In order to learn such, you would more likely have to hook up individually with some priests who are dedicated to it or, as already noted by another poster, with one of the societies which has it’s celebration as a key part of their ministry.

(Another group to look into for this is the Society of St. John Cansius).