Hi BrooklynBoy200,
The FSSP only recently dropped the requirement of at least two years of college (in fact 2007 may have been the first year they did this, but don’t quote me on that). Although the seminary is certainly the proper place to form a priest, I would recommend that you not discount the possibility of college out of hand, even as you prepare for priestly formation.
Why do I say this? First of all, for experience in dealing with others and with the world. A priest must be able to guide his flock in matters of eternal consequence. Most often, our trials come in the mundane difficulties of daily life–the raising of a family, problems at the office, trouble with relationships, etc. If a priest has some experience dealing with these trials, his advice will most likely be of greater immediate benefit to the one he counsels. (I am not saying that these things cannot be learned in the seminary, just that people identify with others who have had similar experiences.)
Second, there may be certain talents that God wants to cultivate in you that will make you a better priest. (He will certainly do this on His own terms, so I wouldn’t worry about this one too much.) All the same, I know of priests who were first trained as lawyers so that they could become canon lawyers after receiving orders. Similarly, there are priests who have excellent medical training and who have become some of the most outspoken Catholic moralists and experts on life issues. My advice is just to be open to God should he direct you to the seminary by way of college.
Another suggestion. Ask the vocations director at the FSSP if he would recommend you go to college first. He has the benefit of Holy Orders (which I do not) as well as much, much more experience.
It is truly wonderful that you have opened yourself to the call of Christ.
Per Christum Dominum Nostrum,
Ecce Homo
