You mention diocesan priesthood, so I’m answering based on diocesan formation…
I also know that depending on what degree I get in college I could have my years in the seminary reduced.
Not really. If you go into seminary right out of high school, you’ll be in minor seminary for four years (getting a BA in philosophy, most likely) and then major seminary for four years (getting a degree in theology – mDiv, MA, or STB, most likely). On the other hand, if you go into seminary after getting a bachelor’s degree, you’ll probably spend two years in pre-theology (studying philosophy) and then major seminary for four years. There’s the outside chance that, if you go to college on your own and get a bachelor’s in philosophy, you
might only be in minor seminary a year or one-and-a-half years. However, that’s up to your diocese – some are willing to do it, and others will have you go through the full two year pre-theology program (the academic work you’d do might vary from the standard two-year philosophy program, but the time spent in discernment and formation would be the same).
- Which degrees might grant this reduction?
There’s not really a “reduction”, per se. Talk to the vocations director in the diocese, though, for more info.
- Are there any priests who went the “college then seminary” route who can comment on the challenges you faced? If you could do it again, would you choose to go to college or just go straight to seminary?
I can’t answer this from personal experience. One thought, though: a person’s undergraduate years are filled with formative experiences – human formation in particular. There’s a lot of “growing up” that happens while in undergrad. If you feel strongly either way – that you want to do this formation while in an intense seminary formation program (or that you’d rather do it on your own, and then enter seminary later) – then that might influence your decision on when you might want to apply.
- I know this is stuff I could ask a vocations director, but it’s been nagging me for a while, so: Does seminary cost anything or is it paid for by the diocese?
You need to ask a vocations director – it varies by diocese. Some pay for the undergrad education. Others pay for undergrad if you go through to ordination (but if you do your undergrad work as a seminarian and then drop out, then you assume the financial obligation of the undergrad tuition).
- How do I choose which diocese I will serve? Just whichever one I apply to seminary from?
No. You would typically choose your diocese first. For a guy just out of high school, this would typically be his home diocese. However, if there’s another diocese to which you feel an affinity (maybe you have family living in that diocese, and you’ve spent significant time there, or you moved while growing up and would like to serve in the diocese in which you were born or spent part of your childhood), then you could always contact that diocese’s vocations office.
You typically won’t apply to a particular seminary on your own, per se. Generally, you’ll apply to the formation program in your diocese. Typically, a diocese has a seminary (or a number of seminaries) that it uses for formation of its seminarians. It’s not that you apply to a seminary and then to a diocese, but the other way around: typically, you enter the formation program for a diocese, and they send you to seminary.
- How are parish assignments done?
You promise obedience to your bishop. He assigns you to a parish.
On a similar note, how are bishops chosen?
Ambitious, aren’t you?
It’s a completely different process: candidates are chosen by the nuncio (if memory serves). Confidential questionnaires are sent to clergy in the diocese, asking about the character of the man in question. The nuncio puts together a terna (a list of three names of candidates) and sends them to the pope. The pope picks from that list (or suggests a different name, or asks for additional names). The pope makes a selection, the nuncio calls the man and asks if he accepts.
- Are there any academic credentials necessary to join certain seminaries? I am the current valedictorian and have a high SAT score, but are other requirements I will need to join a seminary?
There are certainly academic qualifications to enter academic programs.
As I mentioned above, you’d first apply to your diocesan formation program; once accepted, your diocese would direct you to apply to the seminary that they wish you to attend.
Other requirements? You’re a male; baptised; confirmed. You’re not married. There are a variety of other considerations that your vocations director would be sure to want to talk to you about (have you fathered any children to whom you have an obligation? do you have outstanding debt? do you have problems with drugs or alcohol?). The diocese might ask you to go to your doctor and have a physical. There will likely be a psychological screening. Probably, there will be interview(s) with personnel on the formation admission board.
Talk to a vocations director. He’ll set you in the right direction…!
Oh well, hopefully the readers scroll down to see this post.
