Planning for the priesthood, questions

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John_Monaco

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Hi CAF Community,

I’m 16 years old, living in CT. I’m a junior in a public high school. My grades are pretty decent, I’m ranked 7th out of a class of 345 academically, and am part of the National Honor Society. My senior year schedule for next year has 2 AP Classes, AP European History, and AP Literature). I sing in my school’s Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and have played trumpet for 9 years.

Introductions aside, I have decided (and wanted to ever since I was a child) to enter the priesthood. I called the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Vocational Offices two weeks ago, however I did not receive a call back from the desk attendant. She said that the director was busy, and would give me a call back. 2 weeks later, I’m a bit impatient. I have been told by different priests that the Archdiocese will send me to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, or Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland as my minor seminarys to receive my Bachelor’s. After that, I have the oppurtunity to go to North American College in Rome to complete my studies.

That being said, I’m curious to know how the seminary (minor or regular) courses, enviroment, and life is like. I am almost positive that the priesthood is for me, because of many reasons: helping the community, performing the sacraments (baptism, eucharist, penance, last rites/annointing of the sick, correct me if I’m wrong but monks can’t do those, correct?) I lack some knowledge on the monks/orders, and am curious to know what I need to become a monk, or a priest, logistically and spiritually/mentally.

1.) How is the seminarian life?
2.) How is the monastery life?
 
Of course when you graduate, you will have to receive a bachelor’s in Philosophy’ than you woud go to a major seminary that the Bishop had decided to send you.

The seminary is like high school, although you will be praying more, and be with the same students studying for the priesthod. As a Diocesan Seminarian you can own your own car
and leave to go shopping or out to dinner with permission. of course you wear normal street clothes. Since you are so young, you should not anticipate any problems, althoug, the difference is, you will be living with a lot of different personalities.

I am somewhat perplexed by your statement when you state you perform the sacraments, Baptism. Holy Communion. Anointing of the Sick. I think you meant to say, you prepare them for the priest/

As for Benedictines, you have a year of postulancy, a year of novitiate (you are invested with the habit} and you learn the life of St Benedictine. You take simple vows for so many years.

Their are pros and cons o Diocesan and Religious Order. Being a Diocesan can be very lonely with the shortage of priests, most likeky you would be sent to a parish by yourself
\and when you return to th rectory, there will only be you. As a Diocesan, you have to make your care payments; buy clothing; hospitalization, etc. Now in a Religious Order. everything is done by them; of coure you cannot own your own card, you have ovedience under your superior; you will be wearing a religious habit and if something goes wrong with the car, the Order will take care of it, they will pay your hospitalization. Of course as a Religious, you cannot own anything. Bur if you are assigned to a parish, they sometimes have 3 religious Order priests and you wouldn’t find that loneliness.

If you wat more laditude, than I would say the Diocesan priest, because once you get your parish you can come and go as you pleasel now as a religious, everytime you go someplace you need the superior of the Order and he can always say no and you do not have access of owning your own car.

If you need more help, please email me a private message I use to be a Franciscan Brother and a Diocesan seminarian studying for the priesthood.

May almighty God bless you,

PROVIGIL​

 
Religious life isn’t as bad as it sounds.

While we do not own much, we do have an allowance and are free to come and go as we please during the day as long as we are present for community prayer and functions. Yes there a few more demands on us but it is not all that bad.

As for needing our superior’s approval for our ministries a secular priest is assigned to a parish by the bishop and that is where he must reside and work.

Religious orders/communities have a bit more than just parish ministry. Yes secular priests also have more ministries than just parishes but with the shortage of priests that is suffering.

While we do not own a car we have access to one if there is a need. These things are dependent upon the order/community.

In my order and province, that is the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (also known as the Order of Carmelites or the Order of Carmelites, Ancient Observance) you would finish your undergraduate work (most likely a bachelors degree in philosophy), two years would be at St Joseph (think that’s the name) minor seminary in Chicago, the last two years would also be at St Joes but you would move from living at the minor seminary to living in the pre-noviate house (other groups call this the postulancy) then you would do the year long noviate, then first year theology (Masters of Divinity program) then a two year internship in one of our ministries (there is where I am in formation, I am going to be teaching at one of our high schools) and the back to finish the last three years of the M.Div…

I also want you to know if you have any specific questions you may email me.

I would suggest that you get a spiritual director as soon as you can.
 
John,

If I was in your position I would go to vocationsplacement.org/ and take one of their free online tests. There are two tests on their site : Take a free online test:
Code: 
* Click here to know if you're called to be a monk, brother, friar, sister, or nun (the "Ministry Potential Discerner").
* Click here to know if you're called to be a priest in a diocese or religious order (the "Story of My Life" guide
I took this test when I first began discerning and again later on in my discernment and they match you up with some very good orders that specialize in the area which you like best (education, missionary, media evangelization, etc.). Through this test I found Glenmary Home Missioners glenmary.org/ Glenmary has missions in Appalachia, the South, and Southwest United States. They minister to very poor areas that are primarily unchurched.

God Bless
 
When I was younger I studied with an international missionary oder of religious known as the Society of the Divine Word. If you were seeking admission to this group, you would first be sent to their college in Epworth, Iowa where you would embark on a regular four year college program to earn your undergraduate degree. During those first four years you would be introduced to theology and philosophy and the spirituality of the Society. There would be four years of evaluation to determine whether you are being called to the missionary life, and more specifically, to the Society of the Divine Word. Of course, you would also discern your vocation further to determine whether you are being called to the priesthood, the brotherhood, or if you are called to some other form of spiritual life. You would not be in vows during these years, but you would be expected to lead a chaste life and to live according to the rules of the college, which would include daily mass, morning and evening prayers, regular meetings with your spiritual director and community service. In addition, you would be required to maintain an adequate grade point average in your studies. After graduation from college, and if you are found mature enough, you will be admitted into novitiate. Novitiate is a year of intensive training in prayer and in the spirituality of the Society. After one year of novitiate, you would take your first vows and, if you are a candidate for the priesthood, be sent to the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago to begin your studies in theology and in priestly training. These studies, depending on your course of studies, would generally last for 5 years or so, at which point you would enter into final vows with the Society and be ordained a deacon and then a priest. This is the general scheme that most seminarians with the Society follow, but there may be differences depending on various factors. The best thing to do, if you are interested in this group, or any other group, is contact that community’s office of vocations (most are easily found online) and let them know of your interest. I certainly wish you the best in your future discernment and pray that the Spirit of the Lord will guide you in your search.
 
As a woman, I only know seminary life from the outside, but I do have many friends at seminaries across the country and at the NAC here in Rome.
Where you would go to minor seminary depends on the bishop. I believe the Mount is only a major seminary though.
Since it’s been two weeks, give the director a call back. Your name may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Or even call and see if you can make an appointment to speak to him, either via email or in person. Just keep knocking! You’ll get an answer soon!

God bless you!
 
Yes, the Archdiocese of Hartford also uses Mount St. Mary in Emmitsburg as a minor seminary, I asked my priest yesterday. and as a minor seminarian, I wear street clothes? That’s dissapointing lol.

Also, when I meant the performing sacraments, it wasn’t the best wording, sorry. I meant to ask, can monks give Communion, Penance, Annoiting of the SIck, Baptism, etc. or is that reserved for priests only.

But if the priest was an order priest…🤷
 
John_Monaco said:
Also, when I meant the performing sacraments, it wasn’t the best wording, sorry. I meant to ask, can monks give Communion, Penance, Annoiting of the SIck, Baptism, etc. or is that reserved for priests only.

But if the priest was an order priest…🤷
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Monks are men who belong to certain religious orders such as Benedictines and Trappists. Some monks are ordained as priests, others are not. Those who are ordained as priests can offer the sacraments the same as any other priest.

The main difference is that if you are called to the Benedictines, for example, you become a Benedictine first. You will be a Benedictine monk for the rest of your life whether you become a priest or not. If you and your abbot discern that you should be ordained, then he will send you to the seminary. But even if he doesn’t think you should be a priest, you would still be a monk in that particular monastery.
 
John_Monaco said:
Yes, the Archdiocese of Hartford also uses Mount St. Mary in Emmitsburg as a minor seminary, I asked my priest yesterday. and as a minor seminarian, I wear street clothes? That’s dissapointing lol.

Also, when I meant the performing sacraments, it wasn’t the best wording, sorry. I meant to ask, can monks give Communion, Penance, Annoiting of the SIck, Baptism, etc. or is that reserved for priests only.

But if the priest was an order priest…🤷
Click to expand...
If the monk is a priest, then yes, that monk can give all those sacraments-- and indeed, he will as part of his ministry.

The real question is, what sort of service do you feel called to? And, what sort of charism matches best with you? You may very well be called to diocesan life, but don’t pass up looking carefully as religious life. What sorts of religious orders are there? Well, there are your traditional monks, who live in a monastery, but there are also friars who live in common and do their work in the world. If you are looking to have a ministry to laypeople, then you might want to check out the various orders of friars. You can gather what the Franciscans are about if you are familiar with St. Francis, but make sure you look in deeper and see what specifically they do (you might like it!). ByzCath can fill you in on the Carmelite friars.

The Dominicans have a special charism related to truth and preaching (and if you want to dispense the sacraments, the relationship between preaching the Word, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions is very tight). I think there is a Domincan parish in Connecticut (St. Mary’s in New Haven), you might want to check them out (you certainly show the intellectual aptitude). They have some guidance on what the ‘novitiate’ and the ‘studium’ involve for the brother.

God bless,
Rob
 
RobNY said:
If the monk is a priest, then yes, that monk can give all those sacraments-- and indeed, he will as part of his ministry.

The real question is, what sort of service do you feel called to? And, what sort of charism matches best with you? You may very well be called to diocesan life, but don’t pass up looking carefully as religious life. What sorts of religious orders are there? Well, there are your traditional monks, who live in a monastery, but there are also friars who live in common and do their work in the world. If you are looking to have a ministry to laypeople, then you might want to check out the various orders of friars. You can gather what the Franciscans are about if you are familiar with St. Francis, but make sure you look in deeper and see what specifically they do (you might like it!). ByzCath can fill you in on the Carmelite friars.

The Dominicans have a special charism related to truth and preaching (and if you want to dispense the sacraments, the relationship between preaching the Word, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions is very tight). I think there is a Domincan parish in Connecticut (St. Mary’s in New Haven), you might want to check them out (you certainly show the intellectual aptitude). They have some guidance on what the ‘novitiate’ and the ‘studium’ involve for the brother.

God bless,
Rob
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Wow, this helps a lot! Thank you. I was looking at the Carmelites official page, but I couldn’t find the Franciscans, nor the Dominicans (until now). I believe I was meant for preaching, being a servant, and of course a “fisher of men”. I can see myself living a chaste, obedient life, however I’m not completely sure the order is for me. I’m not ruling anything out yet, but I’m almost sure that my God-given talents would be best utilized as a diosecan priest. I want to help people, preach, and bring more people to the church. I guess I should talk to the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Vocational Director about this. I mean, I know I want to become a priest, it’s just whether an order priest is right for me.
 
John_Monaco said:
Wow, this helps a lot! Thank you. I was looking at the Carmelites official page, but I couldn’t find the Franciscans, nor the Dominicans (until now). I believe I was meant for preaching, being a servant, and of course a “fisher of men”. I can see myself living a chaste, obedient life, however I’m not completely sure the order is for me. I’m not ruling anything out yet, but I’m almost sure that my God-given talents would be best utilized as a diosecan priest. I want to help people, preach, and bring more people to the church. I guess I should talk to the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Vocational Director about this. I mean, I know I want to become a priest, it’s just whether an order priest is right for me.
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There are many religious orders/communities that would also fit this.

For myself it came down to the issue of community. I feel called to live in community. Also with the Carmelites there is a larger area that I can work in where as a secular priest is limited to the diocese that he serves.
 
John_Monaco said:
Wow, this helps a lot! Thank you. I was looking at the Carmelites official page, but I couldn’t find the Franciscans, nor the Dominicans (until now). I believe I was meant for preaching, being a servant, and of course a “fisher of men”. I can see myself living a chaste, obedient life, however I’m not completely sure the order is for me. I’m not ruling anything out yet, but I’m almost sure that my God-given talents would be best utilized as a diosecan priest. I want to help people, preach, and bring more people to the church. I guess I should talk to the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Vocational Director about this. I mean, I know I want to become a priest, it’s just whether an order priest is right for me.
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The Dominicans are officially called the “Ordo Praedicatorum”-- the Order of Preachers. Definitely look into them if you are into preaching, and also are an intelligent man interested in a life of study. The Dominican order looks at the life of preaching as an oblation to God, whereby one atones for one’s own sins-- in other words, your preaching won’t just save your congregation… it’s going to save you! If you want any other pointers, I’d be happy to help. Good luck on looking into things. The eastern province, by the way, has a goodly mix of life, including intellectual life and parish life, and a bunch of campus ministries.
ByzCath said:
There are many religious orders/communities that would also fit this.

For myself it came down to the issue of community. I feel called to live in community. Also with the Carmelites there is a larger area that I can work in where as a secular priest is limited to the diocese that he serves.
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There’s a lot of overlap in orders, which is great. We’d be in sore shape if only the Carmelites had solitude and only the Dominicans had preaching. 🙂 Thankfully these elements are available in nearly all orders-- just in different mixes and proportions, with different emphases.

God bless,
Rob
 
I’m sorry for the extra post, but here’s two things you might find interesting.

The first is Br. James Brent’s conversion story: Part I, and Part II. He answers a lot of questions you might have, plus its very inspiring, regardless of what order (or none) that you adhere to. Second, an excerpt from a talk on the grace of preaching, which you might find informative and a bit entertaining.

God bless,
Rob
 
John_Monaco said:
Wow, this helps a lot! Thank you. I was looking at the Carmelites official page, but I couldn’t find the Franciscans, nor the Dominicans (until now). I believe I was meant for preaching, being a servant, and of course a “fisher of men”. I can see myself living a chaste, obedient life, however I’m not completely sure the order is for me. I’m not ruling anything out yet, but I’m almost sure that my God-given talents would be best utilized as a diosecan priest. I want to help people, preach, and bring more people to the church. I guess I should talk to the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Vocational Director about this. I mean, I know I want to become a priest, it’s just whether an order priest is right for me.
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John,

Are you 100% sure that you want to be a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford? You can become a priest in any diocese across America. Just because you live in the Archdiocese of Hartford doesn’t mean you can only become a priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford. I live in an area right now that’s a good area I’m not saying anything against it, but I feel that I would be happier and could do a better job as a priest if I was in another diocese. This is one of the reasons why I didn’t enter a college seminary this year.

God Bless
 
I’m sorry for the extra post, but If you are interested in the Dominicans you should check out Providence College (RI) it is run by Dominican friars. Providence College has great academics and the school has its own college seminary ( Our Lady of Providence Seminary) which is run by the diocese of Providence. Other dioceses around New England and the Archdiocese of Baltimore use it. If you do apply for the Archdiocese of Hartford maybe they will let you go to Our Lady of Providence Seminary. I do know that the diocese of Norwich(CT) uses it.

Here’s the link: catholicpriest.com/

God Bless
 
hxcCatholic413 said:
John,

Are you 100% sure that you want to be a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford? You can become a priest in any diocese across America. Just because you live in the Archdiocese of Hartford doesn’t mean you can only become a priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford. I live in an area right now that’s a good area I’m not saying anything against it, but I feel that I would be happier and could do a better job as a priest if I was in another diocese. This is one of the reasons why I didn’t enter a college seminary this year.

God Bless
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Many dioceses have residency requirements. Bishops do not want to appear to be stealing priest candidates from each other. Same goes for provinces of religious orders/communities, you may be handed off to the vocation director of the province you live in.
 
ByzCath said:
Many dioceses have residency requirements. Bishops do not want to appear to be stealing priest candidates from each other. Same goes for provinces of religious orders/communities, you may be handed off to the vocation director of the province you live in.
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In the diocese where I live there is priests who have come from other dioceses without a problem.
 
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