ICKSP question - pls help

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I will pray for You my Brother, so that You may become a Priest too!!

Please PM your name!!
 
Proudly Catholic:

After reading these posts, you may want to see if the F.S.S.P. and the I.C.K.S.P. have “come and see” type retreats. I know some of the religious orders sponsor these directly. I recall a few years back directing some ladies I knew who were in discernment to attend the one for the Nashville Dominicans and the one for the Sisters of Mary, Mother or the Eucharist.

Another order you might consider is the Canon’s Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago. They have faculties within the Archdiocese of Chicago (and are approved by the Archbishop) . The Canon’s Regular celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be afraid to contact the vocations director of your local diocese. During my own discernment, the vocations director that I talked to at that time had no problem with prospectives going to religious orders - his philosophy was it was still a “vocation”, even if it wasn’t to the diocesan priesthood.

At the time, I told the vocations director I was open to other dioceses, in part because I have relatives in other parts of the country, and he had no problem with that either. However, if a diocesan vocations director gives you the “cold shoulder”, I would just contact the religious order directly.

Buena Suerte,
 
I don’t think diocesan vocations directors will want to talk about going to an ICKSP seminary - but yes, I’d give someone in the Institute a call for sure.

I went on a vocations retreat with my local diocese. They didn’t want to discuss religious orders or more trad leaning seminaries.
Years ago, I helped with a vocations retreat. This one I helped with wanted to promote an “awareness” first to the participants. It was co-ed, and some religious orders for women and men were invited to give presentations, as well as diocesan priests.

I’m wondering if in a public forum, the presenters were hesistant to discuss certain items, but they may be more comfortable doing this 1-on-1. I had a friend who did a 1-on-1 with two priests at the college I attended.

Later on, I did go on a more thorough four day discernment retreat at an East Coast seminary. This particular seminary was one I was interested in visiting, mostly because it has a good reputation. Personally, I got more out of that than I did at a local vocations retreat. However, I think that was because by that time I was more ready to attend a more thorough retreat than an “awareness” weekend.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Good point, but I should have clarified - any other options were off limits during the two one-on-one discussions I had as well. The way the idea was dismissed made it seem like he had some sort of quota to fill, although I don’t think that was the case 😛
 
Proudly Catholic:
Avoid the SSPX, at least until they have successfully reconciled themselves with Rome. Their status is dubious, and the longer it goes on, the worse it looks.

Pre-seminary is primarily for either those without a completed bachelors degree, or for those who lack the needed theological and philosophical courses to keep up in the seminary. Some pre-seminary programs are open admission, others require a diocesan sponsor.

You should ALWAYS talk with your bishop of residence or his vocations director about a potential vocation - no Catholic seminary may admit you to candidacy (as college only establishes quasi-domicile) for ordination without his permission.

There are a couple options not yet mentioned - Religious Orders, including the Dominicans. Many Dominican priories use the Dominican Rite as their Usus Antiquior - it’s the mass of Rome circa 1200. Many priories have retreats for those considering the religious life. My experiences are with friars of the Western Dominican Priory in the US. Many very good friars there. Strong in faith, and wonderful teachers. If you can arrange it, one of their retreats for men considering a vocation would be an excellent chance to see what it means to be part of the Order of Preachers.

I recall that there are some Franciscan communities using the Latin Mass as well.

Note also that the Canons of St John Cantius, the FSSP and the ICK are all in good standing with Rome and the local bishops. Any of them would be a good choice.
 
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