Priesthood

[zach_dunn]

I was just wondering how one would become a priest, is it like some kind of school? I’ve always envied my priests knowledge of Scripture and ancient languages like Greek and Latin. I was wondering if it’s possible to get that kind of education without actually becoming a priest. Thanks for your help!

Pax,
Zach

 

[Church_Militant]

I suppose that you could study at one of the better Catholic colleges and major in theology or possibly even a seminary.

I suggest that you talk that over with your priest.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I was just wondering how one would become a priest, is it like some kind of school? I’ve always envied my priests knowledge of Scripture and ancient languages like Greek and Latin. I was wondering if it’s possible to get that kind of education without actually becoming a priest.

Technically, any Baptized male may become a priest if a Bishop simply grabbed him out of a crowd and ordained him. But, of course, that’s not really how it works.

The Church generally expects priests to be properly educated before Orders are bestowed. This is usually done in college-level instruction at seminaries.

However, anyone may enroll in seminary education, and take the same courses (and attend classes with, and graduate with the same degrees) as candidates to the priesthood.

But seminaries are also places of spiritual formation for prospective priests. As such, priest-candidates are usually expected to live much as those in a Religious Community - with communal living, spiritual disciplines, praying the Divine Office and attending daily Mass (as a community), etc. Priest-candidates meet with their Spiritual Directors regularly, and make frequent Confession.

Most of these “extra” circumstances can be arranged for those who are not pursuing Ordination. But I doubt that the overall experience would be comparable.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I was just wondering how one would become a priest, is it like some kind of school? I’ve always envied my priests knowledge of Scripture and ancient languages like Greek and Latin. I was wondering if it’s possible to get that kind of education without actually becoming a priest. Thanks for your help!

Pax,
Zach

Yes. Plenty of lay people (male and female) get theology degrees (undergraduate and/or graduate) at Catholic institutions. The only kinds of courses that are restricted to seminarians are those which involve practice of the sacraments and similar specialized courses relevant to the priesthood per se.

 

[zach_dunn]

Thanks you guys! I’m going off to college in a couple years and I plan on getting my teaching license. After that I’d really like to get a degree in theology, and possibly philosophy, It’s a lot of stuffto do so I don’t think I’ll do it. I originally wanted to teach math classes, but, I think I might want to teach theology. Is it possible to double major in theology and education? Thanks!

Pax,
Zach

P.S. Do you guys know of any good Catholic schools? Preferably in Minnesota if you know any, I’m trying to stay in state. I know of St. Thomas but I think there might be others…

 

[Teflon93]

Envy is a sin. :tsktsk:

OK, just kidding.

There’s a lot of information available in the Library section of Catholic Answers. There are also excellent computer resources such as Welcome to the Catholic Church and This Is The Faith available at a low price.

I recently received for my birthday the 38 vol collection of the Early Church Fathers’ writings. It is wonderful!

It is here in a variety of different and variously affordable sets:

christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=30815&netp_id=133214&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

Perhaps you would consider becoming a deacon?