FSSP and ICKSP Seminary

[TraditionalCatholicT]

Hello!

I’m currently a teenager in High School, and over the last year / 2 years, I’ve ben discerning a vocation to the consecrated Life. During these years, I’ve grown to love the Traditional Latin Mass and even have started to train for serving the Holy Sacrifice.

I’ve been looking into Traditional Priestly Societies, such as the FSSP and the ICKSP. Although I read on the FSSP website that accepting men out of high school is out of the norm, how exactly difficult is it to enter the FSSP or ICKSP seminary straight out of high school?

 

[Alexandria2020]

from the FSSP website:

• 18 to 35 years of age, unmarried. We encourage a year or two of exercising responsibility after high school, whether through a good job or pursuing higher education. Acceptance of an applicant directly after high school is considered an exception rather than the norm.
• High school diploma ( or equivalent non-US studies ). We do, however, recommend at least two years of college since experience in a good institution can increase the maturity and academic capabilities of a future seminarian.
• Be able to enter the Seminary debt-free. Outstanding debt must be resolved before entering the seminary.
  Discernment - Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary

 

[TraditionalCatholicT]

Anyone know about ICKSP and how difficult it is to get into their seminary?

 

[IanM]

It is a challenge to enter the ICKSP seminary as they have so many applications to join, however it can be done by those with determination and faith. A time spent at a “House of Discernment” -usually an ICKSP Apostolate that can be almost anywhere in the world- is generally necessary at the start of the process in order for both parties to assess each other. This is often required, before the formal training at Gricigliano starts. I am not sure where you are in the world, but this site has the necessary links and contact details to start the process. Email should be answered in two or three days. There is also information for young women who might be interested in joining the non cloistered contemplative community of nuns dedicated to reparation and adoration of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest
Vocations

You may find these videos of life at Gricigliano useful in any future deliberations.

The Restored Seminary

Holy Week 2019 at Gricigliano

A Sunday at the Seminary in Gricigliano, 2018

 

[commenter]

When i was in eighth grade (1963) some boys went right into high school prep seminary, boarding school, for 9th grade, for diocesan or Franciscan institutions. Today that would not be done.

Regarding the current rule against most entrances to FSSP till age 20 or so, I wonder about the purpose. It depends on what they do in the meantime.

If it’s because of the need for greater maturity, then it’s important to remain in close proximity to your family, maintain social relationships with Catholic young men and women, do something in a parish Community from 20 to 22.

But it might be because of the need for more academic preparation. Historically the 4 years after High School were considered the Philosophy years especially. Then you were prepared to handle the Theologate.

So I’m curious about the purpose…do they want to make sure you are committed to priesthood vocation… or rather, that only a few 18 year olds have already read some Thomas Aquinas?

 

[Jbrady]

So I’m curious about the purpose…do they want to make sure you are committed to priesthood vocation…

It more like they want to make sure you are committed to priesthood vocation…

In other words, they want you to be independent and mature enough to make the decision on your own, rather than under the influence of parents or other persons. Young people who enter into vocations to please someone else often end up quitting.

They also want to make sure that you have the knowledge and experience to take care of yourself, especially when things get rough. That’s what the “exercising responsibility” is all about.

 

[phil19034]

Anyone know about ICKSP and how difficult it is to get into their seminary?

https://www.institute-christ-king.org/vocations/vocation-questions

If you are a native English speaker, you will need to be able to speak French and Latin before you can fully enter the seminary.

However, the Institute typically sends first year novices to a local formation house. For example, candidates from the United States spend their first year in St. Louis.

Because of the language requirements the Institute has, I think they are more willing to accept qualified men straight out of high school.

HOWEVER, I would NOT make that the basis of deciding which order you join. You should really get to know both of them, as well as other traditional groups (like the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, etc.)

List of communities using the Tridentine Mass - Wikipedia

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Be careful with the Wikipedia link above…some of the info may not be current and there are certainly schismatic groups listed there as well (Servants of the Holy Family, for instance).

 

[commenter]

Be careful with the Wikipedia link above…some of the info may not be current and there are certainly schismatic groups listed there as well (Servants of the Holy Family, for instance).

True.

" In the following list, all societies are in communion with the Church but those marked as “canonically irregular" are so over internal differences over liturgical and legislative reforms introduced at the Second Vatican Council." From Wikipedia citation

Some groups have far greater differences with the Church, and lesser “Communion” than implied in this summary.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

And some are flat-out mislabeled or not labeled at all.

Another example I noticed was the Franciscans of the Immaculate were listed as “not exclusively Tridentine” when in reality, they’re “never Tridentine” at the present time (although I’m sure they’d like to be either exclusively or frequently, the Vatican has restricted them).

 

[Maximilian75]

As someone who has stood in your shoes, consider going to an orthodox Catholic institution and getting your undergrad in Theology/Philosophy. Many Catholic schools (Franciscan, Ave Maria, Benedictine, Thomas Aquinas College) have very good discernment and formation groups.

 

[otjm]

I’ve been looking into Traditional Priestly Societies, such as the FSSP and the ICKSP. Although I read on the FSSP website that accepting men out of high school is out of the norm, how exactly difficult is it to enter the FSSP or ICKSP seminary straight out of high school?

I think the answers you have been given are reasonably accurate as to why the two group[s desire to have older candidates applying for admission to studies. There is no seminary around where everybody who enters is ordained. To reduce turnover, they have found that someone who has graduated from high scholl and has at least a couple of years either in college or in the working world makes for a higher chance that they may be likely to go all the way.

That is not meant as any disrespect to you; it is simply a very practical approach.