College Seminaries or Colleges with Pre-Seminary programs

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Harpazo

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Hello all.

I’m still discerning my call to be a priest in Christ’s Church. I emailed the vocations director for our diocese a few weeks ago, but still haven’t seen a reply.

Anyways, I’m curious to see what sorts of college Seminaries are out there. I know that it is not recommended to go to a college seminary, but I’ve heard conflicting reasons for either side of the argument. Some say that I should go and live life a little bit, others say that I need to live out my vocation and pursue the seminary anyways.

So what are some good, solid, orthodox College Seminaries or some Colleges with Pre-Seminary programs? I know Ave Maria has a Pre-Theology and other programs for those discerning the call.

In Pax Christi
Andrew
 
Hello Andrew,
Know that I’ll be praying for you and your vocation, and for discernement on the choices of steps and places.
I wonder about your vocation director for the diocese, are you sure that s/he received your email? Sometimes the antispam features are strong and not every new email address is allowed in.
I wonder what country you are looking for seminaries, it might be very different from one place to another.
Peace be with you,
navidad
 
Oh, I’m looking in the USA. I’d like to preferably stay on the east coast for Seminary, but wherever God takes me, I’m willing.

In Pax Christi
Andrew
 
Harpazo said:
I know that it is not recommended to go to a college seminary,
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Who says that? Why?
Some say that I should go and live life a little bit, others say that I need to live out my vocation and pursue the seminary anyways.
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In attending seminary, it isn’t like you aren’t out there “living life”. You haven’t holed yourself up away from the world in some sort of escape from real life. If anything, you’re living life in all it’s fullness, just more intensely
 
chicago said:
Who says that? Why?

In attending seminary, it isn’t like you aren’t out there “living life”. You haven’t holed yourself up away from the world in some sort of escape from real life. If anything, you’re living life in all it’s fullness, just more intensely
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See, that’s where I stand on it. Do you know of any college seminaries that are exceptional?

In Pax Christi
Andrew
 
Shouldn’t you be talking with your vocation director about this? If he hasn’t answered your e-mail why don’t you give him a call?
 
Harpazo said:
See, that’s where I stand on it. Do you know of any college seminaries that are exceptional?

In Pax Christi
Andrew
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Well, what do you mean by “exceptional”. One seminary might be a good fit for some but not for others. It really is a matter of your own personality, journey, et al.

There are numerous college seminaries out there. Just off the top of my head, Chicago, St. Louis, Miami, St. Paul, Lincoln all have college seminaries. Those certainly are not the all there is out there. Indeed, some seminaries have philosophy programs which aren’t strictly college seminaries, but rather part of a more traditional program for seminarians your age/educational experience.

But, generally, in entering a seminary you are under the spoinsorship of some bishop and diocese or religious order. So “seminary shopping” typically isn’t the way to go, either. Rather, what you need to do is decide where you might be interested in ministering. Then contact and pursue the responsible persons for forming vocations from that route. So, for instance, if you are wanting to be a priest for your diocese, nag the vocations director a bit by following up with a phone call or whatever from before in order to talk to him.

Now, that said, I suppose that there are some places which have a sort of seminary track, even if it is not a formal seminary. I understand that something exists at Notre Dame along this line. I can’t imagine that there are not such things at Franciscan University in Stuebenville.

And, I suppose that if you contact the recruiters at some of the college seminaries they will at least help direct you to the right place and give you some information about their institutions, along with what they have to offer.
 
I just noticed your “Tiber Swim Team 2007” notation. Are you a recent convert? It is possible that a vocations director would rather you wait awhile to get better acclimated to the faith before journeying on the route towards priesthood.

But, still, it’s alright to ask and pursue. If nothing else, talk to a trusted priest who ought to be able to help and maybe add some support or valuable referral to those who would be responsible for your future vocational development.
 
Harpazo said:
Hello all.

I’m still discerning my call to be a priest in Christ’s Church. I emailed the vocations director for our diocese a few weeks ago, but still haven’t seen a reply.

Anyways, I’m curious to see what sorts of college Seminaries are out there. I know that it is not recommended to go to a college seminary, but I’ve heard conflicting reasons for either side of the argument. Some say that I should go and live life a little bit, others say that I need to live out my vocation and pursue the seminary anyways.

So what are some good, solid, orthodox College Seminaries or some Colleges with Pre-Seminary programs? I know Ave Maria has a Pre-Theology and other programs for those discerning the call.

In Pax Christi
Andrew
Click to expand...
St. Barromeo Seminary in PA has good Pre-Theology and Seminary Program. I visited it in Sept 06, and its been receiving good reviews by Pope Benedict XVI (who visited the Seminar when he was Cardinal Razinger). It’s primary gives students undergraduate and seminarians to study more. In fact studying is so important that their dorms rooms have no internet or cable since the school policy states those may distract students from their studies or vocation.

I already talk to the Vacation Director in PA because the school has left an impression on me. I hope to enroll there in the fall of 2009 as a Pre-Theology Student.
 
Franciscan University of Steubenville has a Pre-Theologate Program. I don’t know much about the program, but you may want to check it out.
 
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