My son feels he's called to the priesthood

[clmowry]

So now what?

He’s a graduating high school senior.

He actually feels a very specific calling. He thinks he’s supposed to become a “theologian” preist.

He’s looking to get a doctorate in Theology and Philosophy as part of / in addition too the training he would “normally” receive in the seminary.

The concern that I have is that “most” of the seminaries we’ve looked into are focused on training for the Pastoral Ministry after receiving an undergraduate degree. Any sort of a philosophy or theology major as an undergraduate seems to be largerly redundant to the seminary education.

Is it necessary to send him to a good private catholic college to get the education he thinks he’s being called towards “before” the seminary. i.e. Do you go get a PhD and then go to seminary in a situation like this one or are there seminaries that are more structured towards this type of calling and we just happen not to have one in our Diocese?

I know there are plenty of priests with their Doctorates, I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that this is something they do over time “post seminary”. (Our Parish priest for example just finished his PhD.)

If anyone can point me towards a good place for information on seminaries that might best match this sort of a calling, it would be greatly appreciated.

My internet search is proving less than fruitful.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Chuck

 

[whosebob]

If anyone can point me towards a good place for information on seminaries that might best match this sort of a calling, it would be greatly appreciated.

JMJ + OBT​

It might be a good idea for you to contact the staff of …

The Institute on Religious Life.

You probably won’t find the particular information you are seeking on the IRL website, but if you contact them by e-mail or telephone I’m sure they will be happy to point you in the right direction, if they are able to do so.

In Christ.

IC XC NIKA

 

[chicago]

Realize that a man doesn’t apply to a seminary so much as to either a diocese or order, which then sends you to a seminary of their choosing (with, perhaps, your (name removed by moderator)ut). Now if you’re interested in a particular college level seminary, they may well take you in but probably with the understanding that you’re going to explore a vocation studying for a particular diocese or order.

As regards the philosophy/theology stuff, it would appear to be a perfect fit for a seminarian as they are required to get a certain number of credit hours in these subjects over the course of their preparation for priesthood. He, perhaps, wouldn’t necessarily get a doctorate by the time he gets ordained but he might be allowed to carry on in studies towards that. Further, when one becomes a priest, his life is not ultimately his own. If the bishop wants him elsewhere, so he must go. So a man can express to his bishop and rector his interests, which they might help foster, but in the end you go where you’re sent.

Your son might want to look into religious communities which have teaching as one of it’s charisms (such as the Jesuits, Christian Brothers, or Holy Cross Fathers). Or he might want to look towards dioceses with a vibrant university life (such as Chicago) where such a vocation might be nurtured.

If he’s discerning a vocation, I wouldn’t necessarily wait, though. Yet it really is a matter of following where you are best drawn.

 

[briami]

I would also check out the Catholic University of America. They offer many college classes and have a great Religious Studies department. www.cua.edu

 

[Epsilon_Omega]

I feel alot like your son. While I might not want to get a doctorate, I am going to Franciscan Univ. of steubenville for an undergrad degree in Theology and I am going to take some Philosopgy. In other news, one of my good friends (he goes to another parish and is very very interested in the priesthood) is also attending FUS. (I just learned that yesterday.) FUS is a great spiritual college.