Question in priestly vocation!

[Jon_Paul]

Hello, everyone!

I have for quite a while now thought that perhaps Christ is calling me to be a Fisher of Men (Mt. 4: 19). I have not spoken with a priest or vocational director about the possibility of a calling however, as something has been holding me back.

Qualifications. I do not have High School qualifications or equivalents. This would be Standard Grades, Int. 1s and Int 2s and Highers for Sotland. I understand that during ones priestly formation they study at university degree levels - philosophy, theology etc. So, does not having basic High School qulifications rule out the possibility of my self going on to study in a seminary for a priestly formation?

My reasons for not having these qualifications is because when I was 14, I stopped attending schooling. There were mutliple reasons for this that I am sure I don’t need to go into here, the story is, I do not have the qualifications I should have got.

Regards,
JP.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Hello, everyone!

I have for quite a while now thought that perhaps Christ is calling me to be a Fisher of Men (Mt. 4: 19). I have not spoken with a priest or vocational director about the possibility of a calling however, as something has been holding me back.

Qualifications. I do not have High School qualifications or equivalents. This would be Standard Grades, Int. 1s and Int 2s and Highers for Sotland. I understand that during ones priestly formation they study at university degree levels - philosophy, theology etc. So, does not having basic High School qulifications rule out the possibility of my self going on to study in a seminary for a priestly formation?

My reasons for not having these qualifications is because when I was 14, I stopped attending schooling. There were mutliple reasons for this that I am sure I don’t need to go into here, the story is, I do not have the qualifications I should have got.

Regards,
JP.

I am unsure of how the universities work in Europe or what the requirements are for ordination. In the USA you would have to earn a Bachelors degree which would require a High School diploma before you could enter the major Seminary.

I suggest that you get a spiritual director and speak with your pastor as well as the vocations director.

Here in the USA we have programs for people to get their high school requirements done if they did not graduate in the normal course of their growing up.

 

[Provigil]

JON_PAUL,
I am a teacher, but do not understand your grading system; however, I can tell you if you do not have a high school degree, you have answered your own question.

To qualifiy for the priesthood:

1] You must have a BS or BA in Philosophy, if you do not than you
2] have another degree, you still have to have
3] 2-years of Pre-theology
4] 1-year as an intern at a parish
5] 8 years of theology, philosophy, and other courses

With your background, you WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

So, knowing this in mind, why not live a religious lay life?

PROVIGIL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

JON_PAUL,
I am a teacher, but do not understand your grading system; however, I can tell you if you do not have a high school degree, you have answered your own question.

To qualifiy for the priesthood:

1] You must have a BS or BA in Philosophy, if you do not than you
2] have another degree, you still have to have
3] 2-years of Pre-theology
4] 1-year as an intern at a parish
5] 8 years of theology, philosophy, and other courses

With your background, you WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

So, knowing this in mind, why not live a religious lay life?

PROVIGIL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the United States the specific requirements are 30 credits of undergraduate Philosophy and 12 credits of undergraduate Theology. The Philosophy requirement would be covered with a Bachelors degree in Philosophy but the Theology might not be.

The Masters of Divinity is a four year professional masters degree program.

The internship depends on what the diocese/religious order/community requires. Mine requires a two year one that follows the first year of the M.Div. program. Some dioceses allow the internship to be done over the summer months.

 

[hitherwood1]

Hello, everyone!

I have for quite a while now thought that perhaps Christ is calling me to be a Fisher of Men (Mt. 4: 19). I have not spoken with a priest or vocational director about the possibility of a calling however, as something has been holding me back.

Qualifications. I do not have High School qualifications or equivalents. This would be Standard Grades, Int. 1s and Int 2s and Highers for Sotland. I understand that during ones priestly formation they study at university degree levels - philosophy, theology etc. So, does not having basic High School qulifications rule out the possibility of my self going on to study in a seminary for a priestly formation?

My reasons for not having these qualifications is because when I was 14, I stopped attending schooling. There were mutliple reasons for this that I am sure I don’t need to go into here, the story is, I do not have the qualifications I should have got.

Regards,
JP.

Hi Jon Paul
I live in the UK and I sincerely want to become a priest although I’m just 15. I’m not sure if it is the same in Scotland, but in Seminaries in England you can get a M.Th - the Seminary will be affiliated to a secular university. Before you enter, you need to show that you are up to the long academic training. You can easily get those qualifications (outside of school) by asking your local education office what courses (GCSE/A-Level) they offer for part-timers or evening classes.

Blessings
www.catholicpriest.me.uk

 

[Jon_Paul]

With your background, you WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Then I will have to spend as much time as it takes getting the qualifications that I need.

So, knowing this in mind, why not live a religious lay life?

I believe Christ is calling me; I wont refuse that call.

I’m not sure if it is the same in Scotland, but in Seminaries in England you can get a M.Th - the Seminary will be affiliated to a secular university.

Yes, I believe it is similiar in Scotland. I know that the Archidiocese of Glasgow is affiliated with the University of Glasgow, for instance.

Before you enter, you need to show that you are up to the long academic training. You can easily get those qualifications (outside of school) by asking your local education office what courses (GCSE/A-Level) they offer for part-timers or evening classes.

Indeed. I looked up local college courses a day or two ago, for basic general education – our Standard Grades are similiar to your GCSE’s – to try and catch up on what I missed. I should be able to get SG equivalents and then progress to Highers (A-Levels) that should allow me access to University. It’s adding about an extra 4 years education before I can apply for University… but I believe it’s the path Our Lord wants me to take. So I have applied for a few colleges. Just need to wait for the letter to come through for an interview.

Regards,
JP.

 

[hitherwood1]

Totally agree with you! If you are convinced that Almighty God wants you to be a priest, if you then settled for something else because you didn’t have the qualifications, I think you would be unhappy. Go for it!
My Dad keeps reminding me to do as best I can at school, because that is already part of my preparation to become a priest and God wants me to serve Him with my mind as well as my love.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Then I will have to spend as much time as it takes getting the qualifications that I need.

I believe Christ is calling me; I wont refuse that call.

Yes, I believe it is similiar in Scotland. I know that the Archidiocese of Glasgow is affiliated with the University of Glasgow, for instance.

Indeed. I looked up local college courses a day or two ago, for basic general education – our Standard Grades are similiar to your GCSE’s – to try and catch up on what I missed. I should be able to get SG equivalents and then progress to Highers (A-Levels) that should allow me access to University. It’s adding about an extra 4 years education before I can apply for University… but I believe it’s the path Our Lord wants me to take. So I have applied for a few colleges. Just need to wait for the letter to come through for an interview.

Regards,
JP.

*J.P. ,
How wonderful that you are working on your education. I am sure with study and concentration you will be able to catch up on any requirements that you may be lacking at the present. I would suggest while you are doing this that you contact your parish priest or vocations director. Explain that you feel a calling and are working to remedy any scholastic shortfalls you may have. And start your journey.

(I am glad to see some have posted from the UK) … blessings of peace and all good!*

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

JON_PAUL,
I am a teacher, but do not understand your grading system; however, I can tell you if you do not have a high school degree, you have answered your own question.

To qualifiy for the priesthood:

1] You must have a BS or BA in Philosophy, if you do not than you
2] have another degree, you still have to have
3] 2-years of Pre-theology
4] 1-year as an intern at a parish
5] 8 years of theology, philosophy, and other courses

With your background, you WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

So, knowing this in mind, why not live a religious lay life?

PROVIGIL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PROVIGIL,

• I must respectfully disagree with your conclusion.
  As Brother David has stated:

I am unsure of how the universities work in Europe or what the requirements are for ordination. In the USA you would have to earn a Bachelors degree which would require a High School diploma before you could enter the major Seminary.

I suggest that you get a spiritual director and speak with your pastor as well as the vocations director.

Here in the USA we have programs for people to get their high school requirements done if they did not graduate in the normal course of their growing up.

There is nothing that would prevent our brother from completing his studies and then entering seminary… For sure he ought to pursue studies and speak to a vocations director… Blessings!