How Hard is it to become a Priest?

[nsper7]

Hello,

I am a recently Confirmed Episcopalian/Anglican, but I am growing more and more concerned by the theological liberalism that is infesting the Anglican Communion and tearing us apart. As I grow more and more Anglo-Catholic, I feel I am getting close enough to the Tiber River that I am at great risk of “falling in”.

I feel a calling to the ordained priesthood (Holy Orders) and I am fairly certain that if I make the swim across the Tiber, I will still want to seek Holy Orders, albeit as a Roman Catholic. What I wonder is how hard is it to be ordained (especially for someone coming from a different sect/‘denomination’/Rite)?

 

[Trishie]

Our dear Friend,

If you become a committed Catholic you are as genuinely a full Catholic as any cradle Catholic. Your past denomination has no bearing on your full acceptance into the faith or into Holy Orders.

May the Holy Spirit guide you!
Warm regards, Trishie

 

[SenorSalsa]

Certainly, the schooling and training to become a Priest is hard, but the fact that you would be a convert would not make it any more difficult.

They generally want you to have a degree in philosophy(if you haven’t gone to college yet, if so, you will probably need to study philosophy for 2 years) Then you go onto Major Seminary where you would study theology as well as recieve Spiritual, Intellectual, Human, and Pastoral Formation. Expect Seminary to take 5 years, counting a pastoral internship.

which means you could be looking at between 7-9 years of schooling, many diocese might also make you wait a few years after converting, because sometimes the zeal for the new Faith gets confused as a vocation, although this would be handled on a case by case basis

 

[bilop]

Hello,

I am a recently Confirmed Episcopalian/Anglican, but I am growing more and more concerned by the theological liberalism that is infesting the Anglican Communion and tearing us apart. As I grow more and more Anglo-Catholic, I feel I am getting close enough to the Tiber River that I am at great risk of “falling in”.

I feel a calling to the ordained priesthood (Holy Orders) and I am fairly certain that if I make the swim across the Tiber, I will still want to seek Holy Orders, albeit as a Roman Catholic. What I wonder is how hard is it to be ordained (especially for someone coming from a different sect/‘denomination’/Rite)?

Great to hear you are close to heading home

There would be a waiting period of a few years, after you converted, before any diocese or order would consider you. They want to make sure you are firm in your Catholicism before entering formation.

But, after that, there would be no additional hurdles b/c you are a convert.

May God Bless you and your vocation abundantly!

 

[quiet52]

Have you approached the pastor or RCIA leader of your nearest Catholic parish, to ask about participating in the RCIA?

That’s your first step – exploring the faith and then committing to becoming Catholic.

Once you are Catholic, you can approach the diocesan Vocations Director. There is a waiting period before discernment and acceptance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t immediately enroll in some of the basic university classes you’ll need. You should also become involved in the parish ministries (such as homeless outreach, lectoring, lay hospital ministry, religious education, etc.).

 

[nsper7]

Have you approached the pastor or RCIA leader of your nearest Catholic parish, to ask about participating in the RCIA?

That’s your first step – exploring the faith and then committing to becoming Catholic.

Once you are Catholic, you can approach the diocesan Vocations Director. There is a waiting period before discernment and acceptance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t immediately enroll in some of the basic university classes you’ll need. You should also become involved in the parish ministries (such as homeless outreach, lectoring, lay hospital ministry, religious education, etc.).

Because of my background I may be allowed to bypass RCIA. Specifically, I am:

1. Already Baptized
2. Fairly knowledgeable in Roman Catholic history and doctrine
3. Knowledgeable of Roman Catholic liturgy
4. Already received Communion (due to an odd circumstance where my Episcopal parish was closed and I had special permission from the Pastor) and Confession