How do I become a priest?

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If after I graduate from high school, I enter a normal college, not a college seminary, do I have to take two extra years of college before I enter the seminary? I’m confused about the whole process.
 
JJjamin71472583 said:
If after I graduate from high school, I enter a normal college, not a college seminary, do I have to take two extra years of college before I enter the seminary? I’m confused about the whole process.
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I would suggest talking to your diocese’s vocation director. Depending on the diocese, they might put you right into a seminary. Or, if you are interested in a specific order, talk with them, because many don’t require college education before joining. In fact, some discourage it do to its tendency to be a bad place to foster a Christian vocation.
 
Ultimately, it’ll depend on how long you’re in a secular college and what kind of classes you’re taking. If you only go for a year or two and take basic requirements, they may transfer over to the seminary and you’ll jump in where you should be. Hard to say.

I second JG’s statement. Talk to the vocation director for your diocese of the order you’re looking into. They will be able to guide you on what is required of your education. Truthfully, if you’re thinking about priesthood or religious life, you need to do this anyway.

And in case you don’t have one yet, get a good spiritual director. 😉
 
JJjamin71472583 said:
If after I graduate from high school, I enter a normal college, not a college seminary, do I have to take two extra years of college before I enter the seminary? I’m confused about the whole process.
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You wouldn’t have to if you took enough courses in philosophy- but be careful where you go. Many philosophy programs push 19th-20th century European philosophies (the anti-religious ones), and won’t be any help to you.

Since you pretty much have to have a philosophy major nowadays, and you may want to study something else, you might do better in a pre-theologiate program at an undergraduate seminary (yes, that would require an extra two years- but it gives you extra time to discern your vocation).

Talk to your pastor about this. I also suggest you contact your diocese’s vocation director. Get to know the seminarians from your diocese- there are probably some who are close to your age and can give you an idea of what to expect.
 
This is slightly off-topic I’m afraid-please bear with me. I don’t know where else to begin this.
About 15 years ago, our minister(presbyterian) left our church and converted to Catholicism. We were in touch for a while, then lost touch. He went into a seminary in Steubenville, Ohio. That’s about all I know. I can’t seem to find any directories of U.S. priests, and I’d like to find him. Anybody have any ideas?
 
Contact the diocese’s main office and explain to them what you said here. They should be able to help you.
 
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