Ask a seminarian

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Please keep discussion to Vocation related topics. Questions/advice on various areas of life are better suited for other sections of CAF.
 
I have another question for this kind seminarian. Are any of your professors in seminary deacons? If so, what courses are they involved in teaching? I have heard that some deacons can and do become canonists and that makes me think deacons might teach at times. Thank you, and may the LORD richly bless you.
 
Here’s a question for the OP: in your seminary, are seminarians trained for the strong potentiality that they might celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite? If not, as a priest, would you be willing to learn this form and offer it for the benefit of the increasing number of the faithful who have a strong preference for this form of the Mass?
 
shawnbm said:
I have another question for this kind seminarian. Are any of your professors in seminary deacons? If so, what courses are they involved in teaching? I have heard that some deacons can and do become canonists and that makes me think deacons might teach at times. Thank you, and may the LORD richly bless you.
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Hi brother,
Well actually no, we don’t have any permanent deacons teaching here at the seminary. Our professors are mostly priests, in particular those from the order of St. Sulpice. We also have some priests who belong to other orders. We have a few Religious sisters who teach and also lay people. I would not be surprised if deacons taught in some seminaries though.
 
bardegaulois said:
Here’s a question for the OP: in your seminary, are seminarians trained for the strong potentiality that they might celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite? If not, as a priest, would you be willing to learn this form and offer it for the benefit of the increasing number of the faithful who have a strong preference for this form of the Mass?
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Here at St. Patrick’s we do have the option of attending the Extraordinary form of the mass on Saturday mornings. As far as being trained to celebrate it, I haven’t seen anything. I would say that as far as seminaries go though, ours has a good number of seminarians and even faculty who are supportive of the Traditional Latin Mass. Peace be with you brother.
 
Flame_of_Christ said:
Here at St. Patrick’s we do have the option of attending the Extraordinary form of the mass on Saturday mornings. As far as being trained to celebrate it, I haven’t seen anything. I would say that as far as seminaries go though, ours has a good number of seminarians and even faculty who are supportive of the Traditional Latin Mass. Peace be with you brother.
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Hello,

How many credits of canon law can you take? How many are required?

(When I went through an m.div. program, the answer to both questions was the same: 6. That was too bad. I hope you can enjoy more canon law courses.)

Dan
 
What are the classes that a seminarian is required to take? Also, are other courses offered at the seminary, such as sciences or languages, or would taking them be like someone in medical school taking a university art class?
 
Did you go to university/college before entering seminary? If so, have you found your degree/diploma to not be of any use or has the seminary somehow incorporated this into your formation?

After ordination, do you have the option to pursue further studies, or is this choice up to somebody else? What if, after ordination, you wanted to study further (such as theology of philosophy)?
 
dans0622 said:
Hello,

How many credits of canon law can you take? How many are required?

(When I went through an m.div. program, the answer to both questions was the same: 6. That was too bad. I hope you can enjoy more canon law courses.)

Dan
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As far as I know we take 9 units of canon law here. They are required.
 
Another_Andrew said:
What are the classes that a seminarian is required to take? Also, are other courses offered at the seminary, such as sciences or languages, or would taking them be like someone in medical school taking a university art class?
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We take two years of Pre-Theology classes, which are made up mostly of studies in philosophy. We then take 4 years of Theology. Some of the classes include Metaphysics, Philosophical Anthropology, Bioethics, Sacred Scripture, Homiletics, Sacramental ministry, Canon law and a host of others. Non-English speakers can take English courses and most dioceses send their seminarians to Spanish immersion programs in the summer. At a minor seminary (where you complete your bachelor’s degree) you would take a different set of classes, including science and art. Here at St. Patrick’s, you are assumed to have already taken general education types of courses.
 
MyNameIsDan said:
Did you go to university/college before entering seminary? If so, have you found your degree/diploma to not be of any use or has the seminary somehow incorporated this into your formation?

After ordination, do you have the option to pursue further studies, or is this choice up to somebody else? What if, after ordination, you wanted to study further (such as theology of philosophy)?
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Yes I went to a secular university before entering the seminary. My major was philosophy and religion and so some of the courses I had were transferable, but not all. For someone without philosophy units, they would begin with in the pre-theology 1 class and study all the necessary philosophy courses.

I have heard of priests who took courses in their spare time at some college. Also I know that some priests are sent to further their studies in Rome and abroad after ordination. I am not sure if that decision is made for them or in discussion with them.
 
Hi
One of my students has told me that he thinks he has a priestly vocation. I am not sure what to say to him, or why he came to me to talk about it when the teacher next door is a priest. I am a first year teacher although I am not some fresh faced 22 year old. I am the only positive female influence in some of these boys’ lives though. If you gave any advice as to how to discuss his discernment in a spiritually fulfilling and constructive way, other than to punt him next door, please share.
It may be relevant to know that I have a strong personality. When combined with being almost 6’ I am assumed to have all the answers because I am like the anti bimbo or something.
 
Hi
One of my students has told me that he thinks he has a priestly vocation. I am not sure what to say to him, or why he came to me to talk about it when the teacher next door is a priest. I am a first year teacher although I am not some fresh faced 22 year old. I am the only positive female influence in some of these boys’ lives though. If you gave any advice as to how to discuss his discernment in a spiritually fulfilling and constructive way, other than to punt him next door, please share.
It may be relevant to know that I have a strong personality. When combined with being almost 6’ I am assumed to have all the answers because I am like the anti bimbo or something.
 
EvagrianBridge said:
Hi
One of my students has told me that he thinks he has a priestly vocation. I am not sure what to say to him, or why he came to me to talk about it when the teacher next door is a priest. I am a first year teacher although I am not some fresh faced 22 year old. I am the only positive female influence in some of these boys’ lives though. If you gave any advice as to how to discuss his discernment in a spiritually fulfilling and constructive way, other than to punt him next door, please share.
It may be relevant to know that I have a strong personality. When combined with being almost 6’ I am assumed to have all the answers because I am like the anti bimbo or something.
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Hi, thanks for your question. First of all, how old is he? The help you can provide him with is going to depend on that, as you probably well know. I think for young boys or teens, it would be good to ask him if he serves at mass and encourage him in that at this point. Books are always helpful, because he will then be able to come to a better understanding of the priesthood, and may very well be encouraged to go further in his discernment. Maybe recommend one for his age level. I wouldn’t just punt him next door. It sounds like he trusts you and considers you to be someone who can help him. Did he tell you much about his situation? Ask him what he thinks he should do next, to get him thinking. I hope this helps, I am not an expert on this!
 
Flame_of_Christ said:
Hello all, I am a current seminarian studying at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California. I would love to answer any questions anyone has concerning seminary life, discerning a call and anything else you can come up with. God bless you abundantly!
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Hi!

Maybe you would like to chime in on this thread. I would be very interested in knowing what the rules/guidelines are regarding clerical attire and seminarians at your seminary.

Peace & prayers 🙂
 
He is 18 and high school junior, he is an altar server and cantor. The reason he confided in me was because his dad is a friend of the priest in the next classroom, and he is against the idea of him being a priest because he doesn’t think he is holy enough (??!!??) This makes no sense to me, but I will gladly talk to him. He has already requested to have a private conversation with me, so what books would you recommend? He is in my honors section but English is not his first language, French (Haitian) is. Also re the dad, I am pretty sure he stopped going to school around 9th or 10th grade. Perhaps that is why he is telling his son things that seem like nonsense. This isn’t the first time I have been aware of this young man’s dad saying nonsensical, off the wall things.
 
EvagrianBridge said:
He is 18 and high school junior, he is an altar server and cantor. The reason he confided in me was because his dad is a friend of the priest in the next classroom, and he is against the idea of him being a priest because he doesn’t think he is holy enough (??!!??) This makes no sense to me, but I will gladly talk to him. He has already requested to have a private conversation with me, so what books would you recommend? He is in my honors section but English is not his first language, French (Haitian) is. Also re the dad, I am pretty sure he stopped going to school around 9th or 10th grade. Perhaps that is why he is telling his son things that seem like nonsense. This isn’t the first time I have been aware of this young man’s dad saying nonsensical, off the wall things.
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Well a good book that really helps a lot of guys get a better understanding of the discernment process of entering seminary is called “To Save A Thousand Souls” by Fr. Brannen. It is one of the best books by far I’ve seen on the topic. Maybe you could read it as well, so as to help him understand what it is about. Also, I recommend that he meet with the Vocations Director of your Diocese. I’m glad to hear that you are going to help this young man. May our Lord bless you and inspire you in your conversation with him.
 
Would I be able to go to the appointment with him? Or maybe his hockey coach who is a friend of mine? Although both him and the coach sometimes have trouble with the English language, especially during stressful or unfamiliar situations. He came in today saying his dad said he will never be able to hold any job or be thought of as a true adult because he likes to wear sweatpants and has a tattoo. SAY WHAT??? By the way, the tattoo is a religious one. Hopefully the vocations director will not expect him to come to the appointment with a parent. OTOH I don’t want to blab to him about this young man’s home life, especially if it will cause preconceived notions about his character or something.

I would feel more comfortable if we continued this discussion over pm. Thanks for understanding.
 
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