Question about Holy Order Priests

  • Thread starter Thread starter kevb
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

kevb

Guest
Hi,
I was just wondering…do men wanting to become non-diocesan priests attend the same seminaries as those called to be parish priests? I am 31 and considering the priesthood…having a particular interest in contemplative orders like the Carmelites and Camaldolese. I dropped out of college at age 20 after only one year, and I’m just trying to figure out if I’d be looking at another seven years of school before being ordained. This seems like an awful lot of time to be spending in “the world” for someone called to contemplation.
-Thanks
Kevin
 
40.png
kevb:
Hi,
I was just wondering…do men wanting to become non-diocesan priests attend the same seminaries as those called to be parish priests? I am 31 and considering the priesthood…having a particular interest in contemplative orders like the Carmelites and Camaldolese. I dropped out of college at age 20 after only one year, and I’m just trying to figure out if I’d be looking at another seven years of school before being ordained. This seems like an awful lot of time to be spending in “the world” for someone called to contemplation.
-Thanks
Kevin
Click to expand...
Although I think many send members to other seminaries, it depends on the Order.

For instance, The Benedictines at St. Vincent in Latrobe, PA have thier own seminary that is also used by many diocese in PA. A couple of orders than I am familiar with send their members to the Catholic Theologian Seminary in Chicago. If you check the vocation page of the Order that you are looking at, they may tell you where they send members.

Als for being called to contemplation, may contemplative orders these days also have active ministries. Contemplation is only one aspect of religious life.

PF
 
All the orders I know of outside of the diocesan priests attend their own seminaries. May God be with you as you contemplate your vocation!
 
Thanks, those are great suggestions.
Yes, I’d definitely hope to find an order that not only provides an atmosphere in which to cultivate contemplative prayer and meditation, but that also does charitable work. Thanks again!
-Kevin
 
It depends on the order. Some may have enough vocations that they have one or more seminaries; others will attend a seminary that may be run, at least in part, by an order (e.g. the Benedictines) and be diocesan related; it may also have several orders studying there.

You should realize that your training may be longer if you join an order, as there are periods of formation that may be done in community as opposed to school setting.

For example, the Jesuits had 4 years of college, schooling for an advanced degree, a three year period (the ones I met were teaching at a Jesuit high school) that involved activities outside the school setting, then more schooling, then ordination, then more schooling.

By the way, you may wish to join an order, and they may accept you as a candidate, but unless they are all ordained, joining the order and ordination are two different issues. You may have a year or more of formation before they decide if they will send you to seminary.

And the old question: After it is all done, will you be any older than if you had not gone through the process?
 
A lot of very good advice here. Some Orders do have an age limit. After a certain age they are not willing to invest in your education. A regular parish priest has no age limit. I heard of one fellow in his 80s at a seminary for older applicants. My friend, Fr. Jerry, tried to become a Franciscan priest or brother in his 60s (After his wife passed away.) He was turned down. Even though he had been a Secular for quite a while. Their age limit was 33 or 34. He went on to become a parish priest. Rather than a degree, he received a certification in theology. He was able to complete the seminary in about 3 years. He is much loved by all that attend or visit his parish in the foothills near Yosemite National Park.

Deacon Tony
 
I live in a Benedictine town which has a seminary run by the Benedictine monks. The archdiocese sends all its seminarians there. The benedictines send all their seminarians there. The carmelites in Oregon all send their seminarians there. The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit all send their seminarians there.

We’ve had a few jesuits and franciscans show up to, but I think they aren’t the norm for thier orders.

Josh
 
Deacon Tony560:
My friend, Fr. Jerry, tried to become a Franciscan priest or brother in his 60s (After his wife passed away.) He was turned down. Even though he had been a Secular for quite a while. Their age limit was 33 or 34. He went on to become a parish priest. Rather than a degree, he received a certification in theology. He was able to complete the seminary in about 3 years. He is much loved by all that attend or visit his parish in the foothills near Yosemite National Park.

Deacon Tony
Click to expand...
that brings up a question for you Deacon Tony. You mention your friend, who lost his wife, then went on to become a priest. We had the same situation in our parish and a small group, 7-8 older members, took it upon themselves to run our pastor out. He was so upset with the things they were doing, he chose to retire. One of the leaders of this group, was a nun at one time, but left her order, got married and had children. Now when this priest comes to fill in during our pastors vacation, this group doesn’t show up for their scheduled lectoring or to be Eucharistic Ministers. Why are some people such hypocrites when it comes to priest who had been married? Fr. Mike is a wonderful man, a devoted priest and a joy to talk to. He has insight into life, because he was married and has kids. What can they rest of us do in dealing with these people?
 
I am sorry to hear about the situation that you describe. Sometimes, there are factions within a parish that destroy that community of faith. I know of a smiliar situation to the one that you mentioned. I don’t know what the answer is. We are called to be faithful Catholics, regardless of who is our pastor. We are called to do the best with what we are given. In most cases, older vocation priests are much loved and appreciated. I guess there are always exceptions.
Prayers for your situation,
Deacon Tony
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top