FSSP Priest

  • Thread starter Thread starter joyfullsoul
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

joyfullsoul

Guest
I have been discerning joining the FSSP for a few of years and have been in contact with their vocations office.

I will not be able to attend for a few years, as I need to try and raise the full cost of the seven year seminary fees as once in there will be little opportunity for me to raise the funds each academic year.

I am 33 and the max age they take is or was 40, it will probably take me 5-6 years to raise the amount they require, which will almost make me to old to apply.

In the application package they sent me it states that it prefers that it’s candidates have either a BA or BS, which I do not have; so before I apply will I need to complete a BA or BS degree, which normally lasts for four years and will cost money.

So that would add four years on to my savings and I would loose some money that I am saving for the seminary to pay for university fees.

So then I’d defiantly be to old.😦

Candidates must also have a high school diploma:confused: I am from the UK and never heard of these, they must also have attended college or university for a min of 2 years; I spent four years in college doing catering, would that count:confused:

They ask for high school and college transcripts; do they mean qualifications?

The only school qualifications I have are:

General Certificate of Secondary Education English Language (grade F)
GCSE English Literature (grade F)
GCSE Rural Science (grade F)

Certificate of Education Welsh (Distinction)
CoE Science (Distinction)
CoE Graphical & Material Studies (Distinction)

And college qualifications:

National Vocational Qualification 1 Catering & Hospitality
NVQ 2 Catering & Hospitality
NVQ 3 Catering & Hospitality

Basic Certificate in Food Hygiene
Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety
Advance Certificate in Food Hygiene

Intermediate Certificate in Hazard Analysis Principles & Practice

Professional Trainer Certificate

And other qualification I have is a;

Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology

These are all UK based awards and I do not know whether I would be able to use them on my application and whether they’d count as the 2 years min of college studies.

Desperately needing help and advice please.
 
Hi there,

First of all, God bless you for discerning a call to the priesthood. I’ll be praying for you.

You said you’ve been in contact with the FSSP vocations office. Have you talked to them about these concerns? The high school diploma and whatnot are all American certifications. They may not have even thought about UK equivalents. I would ask them specifically on that. The vocations director is there to help answer just these kind of questions.

As far as needing to save money and put off entering… That is a dilemma. I’ve been going down a similar road myself (I’ve been working to pay off debt). It is certainly frustrating to know that God is calling you to serve Him, and you’re sitting back working a job you don’t want to be at. I’ve approached this knowing that it has to be happening for a reason. Maybe there is something God wants us to learn through this… Patience, or humility, or dedication. It’s hard to say. I would recommend sharing this with your spiritual director (I assume you have a spiritual director… no one should discern without one 🙂 ). He will help guide you to figure out what all this means, and what you should do about it.

Also, check into some organizations that might help you raise money. I know groups like the Knights of Columbus often ‘adopt’ seminarians and priests to help them out financially. There might be some options.

I’ll be praying for you.
 
Hi,

I am awaiting a response from the vocations office on the matter, but thought I’d ask as someone in the states may have known the answer.

I have been paying off a huge debt for over 7 yrs and hopefully it will all have been repaid in may this year. Then I can start putting away monthly savings to help pay towards the cost.

I had a spiritual director but he has moved to a new parish and my new priest is old but pious, and the problem is that he forgets things. In my neighbouring parish the priest as moved to another parish and they have had a Polish priest and 3 Italian priests move in, but someone said they are temporary.

So I am looking for a SD that is going to stick around for a few years.😃

I was told that the KC only like to sponsor a seminarian that is considering going to a seminary associated with the local diocese, and I am discerning going to another country.

Thank you for your response and suggestions.
 
joyfullsoul said:
I am 33 and the max age they take is or was 40
Click to expand...
No, the max age is 35, but on their website they do state that “on a case-by-case basis, we may admit older candidates”. (Keyword=may) If you want to go their seminary, you better get your skates on.
it will probably take me 5-6 years to raise the amount they require, which will almost make me to old to apply.
Click to expand...
You do not appear to be aware that in the past the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales has supported seminarians going to the Fraternity seminaries (source). I would strongly suggest that you contact them before making an application, as they would most likely be more than willing to sponsor you, and your seminary preliminary application form requires that you name your sponsor(s).
In the application package they sent me it states that it prefers that it’s candidates have either a BA or BS
Click to expand...
A BA or BS is preferred, but not required of candidates.
Candidates must also have a high school diploma:confused: I am from the UK and never heard of these
Click to expand...
Your A-level certificate should prove to be an acceptable equivalent.
they must also have attended college or university for a min of 2 years
Click to expand...
This is not true. No previous attendance at college or university is required.
They ask for high school and college transcripts; do they mean qualifications?
Click to expand...
This would include your GCSE and A-levels certificates.
These are all UK based awards and I do not know whether I would be able to use them on my application and whether they’d count as the 2 years min of college studies.
Click to expand...
Again, college experience or degrees are not necessary, though they will prove an advantage to you in your seminary application.
 
Dear Joyfullsoul -

I think you’ve received excellent suggestions from other posters already but I’m thinking it might be a good idea to personally contact someone in charge (by phone or appointment in person) as soon as possible to ask/discuss these questions directly. Surely, the answers to your questions regarding grades equivalent levels can be quickly addressed by those in UK or Europe.

I have been blessed to meet these wonderful FSSP priests - and to be sure, in my humble opinion, an interview with them would be the determining factor. “Transcripts” are just a copy of your education performance, which I think you would have to get from respective schools you’ve attended. It sounds like you’ve been a hard worker, as well. I’m guessing that if they assess these things and see the potential for a holy vocation, your concerns will not be so much grades or money - but when do we start?

Dominus Vobiscum!
 
joyfullsoul, I think I know how you feel. I’m still quite young, and headed off to start my BA in the fall, but I sincerely want to join the FSSP, despite the fact that my family isn’t very religious, my community is somewhat hostile to the Latin Mass, and I haven’t a dime to my name.

Perhaps Jehu or some other knowledgeable soul could answer some of these questions for me. They mayThey could also benefit I wonder how greatly financial impedients figure in decision. Will I have to work off every penny of debt (which for me would only be student loans) before entering? It seems rather difficult to get in, but if this is what we’re supposed to do, I suppose it will come to fruition.

Mat.
 
Seminarian X: Thank you for those links:)

Jehu:
No, the max age is 35, but on their website they do state that “on a case-by-case basis, we may admit older candidates”. (Keyword=may) If you want to go their seminary, you better get your skates on.
Click to expand...
On the application form I was sent beginning of 2007 it states that 40 is the max age, so they may have lowered it.
You do not appear to be aware that in the past the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales has supported seminarians going to the Fraternity seminaries (source). I would strongly suggest that you contact them before making an application, as they would most likely be more than willing to sponsor you, and your seminary preliminary application form requires that you name your sponsor(s).
Click to expand...
I have been in contact with the LMS, and while they offer to sponsor a seminarian the money does not cover the whole amount of the course and is there to help towards the cost. It is no good asking for a donation from them at this point as I need to raise the full amount and then their help of sponsorship would go a long way.
A BA or BS is preferred, but not required of candidates.
Click to expand...
That is true, but I do not want to raise the funds only to be told that a candidate with a degree was accepted over someone with out a degree (although I’m sure that would not happen). They were talking of getting an approval from the education authorities to offer degrees them selves such as a Masters of Divinity in the future, which would be good.
Your A-level certificate should prove to be an acceptable equivalent
Click to expand...
Erm, I ain’t got A levels, the problem I had which was not picked up in school but in college is that i suffered from Irlen syndrome, which is a vision learning difficulty. Once I had help to control the syndrome I saw learning in a different way, hence all the qualifications I now have.
This is not true. No previous attendance at college or university is required.
Click to expand...
On the application form it asks that its candidates have at least done a min of 2 yrs in a college or university, as in the past they had accepted students with little or no academic qualifications and those student found the study hard.
This would include your GCSE and A-levels certificates.
Click to expand...
Thanx, that’s good to know.
Again, college experience or degrees are not necessary, though they will prove an advantage to you in your seminary application.
Click to expand...
But they are an advantage over someone with none.

Thank you for responding:)

Conservative:

I have sent an email to the vocations office asking the questions I posted here, and am awaiting a response; if I do not hear back in a week I will phone them up as I know they are busy sorting out this years retreat.

Pious Mat

I agree that it is difficult to get in, the main factor being the cost, but as you say, if it’s meant to be then it’s meant to be.😉
 
joyfullsoul said:
On the application form I was sent beginning of 2007 it states that 40 is the max age, so they may have lowered it.
Click to expand...
Yes, 35 is the current max age.
That is true, but I do not want to raise the funds only to be told that a candidate with a degree was accepted over someone with out a degree (although I’m sure that would not happen)
Click to expand...
No I’m sure that wouldn’t happen. I think that college is encouraged specifically for aspirants in high school. Most of those entering from college will have degrees with little relevance to their seminary studies.
I ain’t got A levels
Click to expand...
You may have a problem then, and I sincerely hope that you don’t, but you should ask the director of vocations at the FSSP if your qualifications would be acceptable to them.
On the application form it asks that its candidates have at least done a min of 2 yrs in a college or university
Click to expand...
This is an old requirement. They have changed the criteria. It is now possible to enter the FSSP seminary straight from high school.
 
Dear Joyfullsoul,

If I may ask, why join the FSSP ? Have you ever thought of being a diocesian priest ?

The reason I ask is that many dioceses will pay part, if not all of the expense involved in seminary training. Secondly if not interested in being sponsered by a diocese, how about joining a religious community; such as the franciscans, dominicans, etc.
As a member of such a community, if you are discerned to be a priest, your education is taken care of by the religious community that you are a member of.

Another thing that I believe that you should think about is that the FSSP is not welcomed in every diocese, meaning that if your bishop or the bishop of where you live does not give facilities to members of the FSSP, you can not function as a priest in that diocese.

Just something to think about.
In Service to Christ,

Br Mark, OSB
 
Jehu said:
Yes, 35 is the current max age.
Click to expand...
Oh, that is not good as I will find it hard to save up in that amount of time:(
No I’m sure that wouldn’t happen. I think that college is encouraged specifically for aspirants in high school. Most of those entering from college will have degrees with little relevance to their seminary studies.
Click to expand...
I hope it would not; I can understand what you mean by them wanting to aspire candidates. When I was 16 I had approached a Capuchin Friary and spoke with the Novice Master about vocations and he advised me that whilst some orders take at a young age, he encourages those discerning a call from God to go to college or out in to the real world and train in a profession and work for a few years.

He felt that a lot of young candidates were entering too soon and were doubting their calling in the future, and by encouraging them to gain college or work experience it not only helped the candidate but would come in useful for the order should the candidate still desire to join an order.
You may have a problem then, and I sincerely hope that you don’t, but you should ask the director of vocations at the FSSP if your qualifications would be acceptable to them.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is my thoughts also, I have contacted the VD and am awaiting a response from them. Although the NVQ’s I have are equivalent to:

NVQ 1 = GCSE grade D-G
NVQ 2 = GCSE grade A-C
NVQ 3 = 2 A Levels

And note that they are equivalent and not the same in regards of preparation.
 
Br_Mark said:
Dear Joyfullsoul,

If I may ask, why join the FSSP ? Have you ever thought of being a diocesian priest ?

The reason I ask is that many dioceses will pay part, if not all of the expense involved in seminary training. Secondly if not interested in being sponsered by a diocese, how about joining a religious community; such as the franciscans, dominicans, etc.
As a member of such a community, if you are discerned to be a priest, your education is taken care of by the religious community that you are a member of.

Another thing that I believe that you should think about is that the FSSP is not welcomed in every diocese, meaning that if your bishop or the bishop of where you live does not give facilities to members of the FSSP, you can not function as a priest in that diocese.

Just something to think about.
In Service to Christ,

Br Mark, OSB
Click to expand...
Hello Br Mark,

The FSSP is but one consideration, although I am strongly drawn to it the most. I want to be trained as a priest to celebrate the Tridentine Mass and there are not a lot of seminaries or orders that offer the training of the tridentine rite anymore.

The problem that I have with being a diocesan priest, especially in my diocese is that my Bishop can be quite liberal sometimes and he does not like the Tridentine rite mass and therefore I can not see him paying for my seminary studies overseas.

The Capuchins that I had approached when I was sixteen do not train their priests in the Tridentine rite and when speaking with them recently I asked if they ever considered sending any of their priests to train to offer the Tridentine mass and they said they would not as the N.O mass is just as valid.

I had approached the Norbetines last year: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=3296475#post3296475

I had heard of local Bishops not welcoming the FSSP and there would be no point in being a priest if I was unable to perform as a priest; although I’m sure that the FSSP priest are only sent to where they are requested by the local Bishop.

Do the Benedictine order still train their priests to say the Tridentine rite mass?

God Bless
 
I have had a reply from the vocations office regarding my questions and their answers have given me a glimmer of hope.

So I will fill in the application forms and send them off and hopefully fly over next year for a retreat which is a requirement for those applying, and talk with the vocations office.

And then if they decide that I am not suitable, then I will not have wasted those years saving up to enter or wondering if they’d take me.

Just wish the seminary was a bit closer:p

So please pray for me:crossrc:
 
joyfullsoul said:
I have been told that the Knights whilst being good at donating, prefer to donate to seminarians that are studying in their own country and not abroad.😦
Click to expand...
Yes. That may be true. But we sent at least one or two to the seminary in Rome and one was ordained last spring.

I think we should concentrate on where the vocations are coming from and if we can find good men to serve in the priesthood here, I’m open to it.
 
joyfullsoul said:
Hello Br Mark,

The FSSP is but one consideration, although I am strongly drawn to it the most. I want to be trained as a priest to celebrate the Tridentine Mass and there are not a lot of seminaries or orders that offer the training of the tridentine rite anymore…
…
Do the Benedictine order still train their priests to say the Tridentine rite mass?

God Bless
Click to expand...
Dear Joyfullsoul -
I learned about a monastery - here on the forum - in Oklahoma that say the Tridentine Mass. They are Benedictine, I believe, but you can get more details from their website or calling. The website details which missal is used. I’m not sure if I’m giving the correct addy but it’s Clear Creek Monastery under a title of Our Lady. You can try the following:

www.clearcreekmonastery.com

But if you’re in earnest about the Tridentine Mass, and Clear Creek does not meet your needs, I can think of no better order than FSSP. If I could, I would support your seminary fees - that’s how much the holiness that eminates from the Masses, good counsel and ministry of these priests inspires this poor sinner.
 
vocatio said:
Yes. That may be true. But we sent at least one or two to the seminary in Rome and one was ordained last spring.

I think we should concentrate on where the vocations are coming from and if we can find good men to serve in the priesthood here, I’m open to it.
Click to expand...
That is good to know of the KSC; do you know if those seeking support from the KSC have to ask the KSC in their parish, as there are no KoC in my parish as we tend to have the Secular Franciscans. But in my neighbouring parish there are the KSC.
 
Conservative said:
Dear Joyfullsoul -
I learned about a monastery - here on the forum - in Oklahoma that say the Tridentine Mass. They are Benedictine, I believe, but you can get more details from their website or calling. The website details which missal is used. I’m not sure if I’m giving the correct addy but it’s Clear Creek Monastery under a title of Our Lady. You can try the following:

www.clearcreekmonastery.com

But if you’re in earnest about the Tridentine Mass, and Clear Creek does not meet your needs, I can think of no better order than FSSP. If I could, I would support your seminary fees - that’s how much the holiness that eminates from the Masses, good counsel and ministry of these priests inspires this poor sinner.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the link:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top