Older vocations: Diocesan recommendations?

[John_Donlan]

Hi Folks,

I’m 57 years old, a “cradle Catholic”, and I finally sold my home a few months ago – so now I’m out of debt. I have a vocation to the priesthood (no doubt any longer), but the problem is…every diocese that I’ve contacted considers me too old to enter the seminary. It’s mainly a financial decision, they say, because I would be ordained at the age of 63 (2 years of Philosophy + 4 years of Theology), and standard retirement age is 70 or 75 in most dioceses. Hence, I would not be contributing enough money into my retirement fund to justify their education expenditure on my behalf.

Another consideration is…older priests cost more in medical care than younger priests.

I have quite a bit of money left over from the sale of my home (even though I took a tremendous loss on it’s sale value), and I would be able to help contribute toward my seminar education expenses. But, I haven’t even gotten far enough in the interview process (those vocations directors who even let me interview) to explain this. In truth, I want to be accepted to sponsorship by a bishop on my own qualifications…without giving the mis-impression that I’m trying to “buy my way into the seminary”.

I have extensive experience with 19 years of a wonderful marriage, counseling at a drug rehabilitation center, and over 35 years in the business world – both in a blue-collar and engineering job market. I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life actively involved in Pro-Life activities, including abortion rescuing/picketing – and the consequences of many jail stays both here in the USA and in Europe for doing so.

I have a lot to bring to the table that most younger priests might not – simply due to their lack of these life experiences.

Does anyone out there know of a diocese conducive to accepting ‘older vocations’ to their priesthood? Any suggestions would be most welcome!

God bless you all!
John

 

[Angel_Bradford]

John, there are two seminaries that “specialize” in late vocations. One is Blessed John XXIII in Weston MA, the other is Sacred Heart in Hales Corner WI. Why don’t you call them and ask which dioceses will send students in your age bracket?

 

[refugio]

John, you might contact Holy Apostles Seminary Cromwell CT. I believe some diocese’s that have older vocations often send them there. Perhaps you can find out by contacting them where some of these dioceses are. Also you might check out the Fathers of Mercy website. I think they make recomendations as well for seminaries for older vocations.

holyapostles.edu/

fathersofmercy.com/

 

[Cloisters]

Hi Folks,

I’m 57 years old, a “cradle Catholic”, and I finally sold my home a few months ago – so now I’m out of debt. I have a vocation to the priesthood (no doubt any longer), but the problem is…every diocese that I’ve contacted considers me too old to enter the seminary. It’s mainly a financial decision, they say, because I would be ordained at the age of 63 (2 years of Philosophy + 4 years of Theology), and standard retirement age is 70 or 75 in most dioceses. Hence, I would not be contributing enough money into my retirement fund to justify their education expenditure on my behalf.

Another consideration is…older priests cost more in medical care than younger priests.

I have quite a bit of money left over from the sale of my home (even though I took a tremendous loss on it’s sale value), and I would be able to help contribute toward my seminar education expenses. But, I haven’t even gotten far enough in the interview process (those vocations directors who even let me interview) to explain this. In truth, I want to be accepted to sponsorship by a bishop on my own qualifications…without giving the mis-impression that I’m trying to “buy my way into the seminary”.

I have extensive experience with 19 years of a wonderful marriage, counseling at a drug rehabilitation center, and over 35 years in the business world – both in a blue-collar and engineering job market. I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life actively involved in Pro-Life activities, including abortion rescuing/picketing – and the consequences of many jail stays both here in the USA and in Europe for doing so.

I have a lot to bring to the table that most younger priests might not – simply due to their lack of these life experiences.

Does anyone out there know of a diocese conducive to accepting ‘older vocations’ to their priesthood? Any suggestions would be most welcome!

God bless you all!
John

Bro. JR on these forums is starting a pro-life community.

In the meantime, you can hang out with us:

Dr. Gianna’s Assistants for Life: cloisters.tripod.com/drgiannasassistantsforlife/

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[kliner]

Hi Folks,

I’m 57 years old, a “cradle Catholic”, and I finally sold my home a few months ago – so now I’m out of debt. I have a vocation to the priesthood (no doubt any longer), but the problem is…every diocese that I’ve contacted considers me too old to enter the seminary. It’s mainly a financial decision, they say, because I would be ordained at the age of 63 (2 years of Philosophy + 4 years of Theology), and standard retirement age is 70 or 75 in most dioceses. Hence, I would not be contributing enough money into my retirement fund to justify their education expenditure on my behalf.

Another consideration is…older priests cost more in medical care than younger priests.

I have quite a bit of money left over from the sale of my home (even though I took a tremendous loss on it’s sale value), and I would be able to help contribute toward my seminar education expenses. But, I haven’t even gotten far enough in the interview process (those vocations directors who even let me interview) to explain this. In truth, I want to be accepted to sponsorship by a bishop on my own qualifications…without giving the mis-impression that I’m trying to “buy my way into the seminary”.

I have extensive experience with 19 years of a wonderful marriage, counseling at a drug rehabilitation center, and over 35 years in the business world – both in a blue-collar and engineering job market. I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life actively involved in Pro-Life activities, including abortion rescuing/picketing – and the consequences of many jail stays both here in the USA and in Europe for doing so.

I have a lot to bring to the table that most younger priests might not – simply due to their lack of these life experiences.

Does anyone out there know of a diocese conducive to accepting ‘older vocations’ to their priesthood? Any suggestions would be most welcome!

God bless you all!
John

My diocese (Birmingham) has accepted seminarians older than you before, so you may want to give them a try.

Clarifications:

• Generally, the “older guys” finish in 4-5 years. The seminaries for your “group” generally don’t require much philosophy, relying (I assume) on the “life experience” to have been a teacher of philosophy.
• You don’t have to retire at 70-75 .
• Some dioceses will appreciate your contribution to your education. I know one priest in my diocese who was already close to “retirement age” when he was accepted, and he paid for the whole thing.
• However, regardless of any of the above points, there is still an aspect of discernment which is simply part of seminary formation: for you, the diocese that sponsors you, and the seminary which you attend. The diocese will interview you, do background checks, have evaluations, probably ask you to write a little autobiography and something on your reasons for wanting to be a priest, etc. If accepted, then they’ll pass you on to a seminary whose job it is to discern your vocation on behalf of the Church and make recommendations to your bishop. All the while, the Church asks you to be open and to pursue your call from God: maybe He is calling you, maybe He is not. If He is, then all three will be fine. If He’s not, then one or more of the three will be … “off.”

The guy to contact is Dr. Steve Smith; he’ll help you to get the ball rollin’:
e-mail: vocations@bhmdiocese.org
phone: (205) 838-2184

God bless,
Kevin

 

[KCT]

Here in the Baltimore diocese, we have a seminarian whose son is a priest!

He was a deacon and after his wife died, he felt called to the priesthood.

God Bless you in your search!