Seminary

[ATeutonicKnight]

What would be ideal would be a society of sorts set up within each diocese that prays for vocations and assists with the financial burden of the costs of formation.

Also seminarians should be assigned work over the summer periods and the moneys that would be earned there should, for the most part, should go towards the formation costs.

I would hope that a seminarian would get some sort of stipend to cover the costs of incidentals.

This is only for the secular seminarian. Religious have it dealt with in a different manner.

Well, on my Diocese page, you can donate money to the Seminarians, or you can press “Give Prayers” and then you just write down what you’re going to do and it informs the Seminarians by email.

The way the FSSP does it is quite interesting. Costs are about twenty thousand dollars a year, but they say to go to your parish, and put in the bulletin that you need money. Then, go to the Knights of Columbus and ask them, and go around asking Priests in the Diocese to help you. There are also many benefactors that regularly give money to the Seminary in the first place, so they say that you should only be paying seven thousand in the end. However, to go to the Minor Seminary the Diocese sends you, you’ll have to do a lot more begging. I’m not sure why, but it costs twenty-nine thousand dollars to go there, so I probably would ask more people to be benefactors.

How do Religious go about this?

 

[paperwight66]

Except that not all seminarians become priests.

Indeed. And in developing countries, there is a suspicion that seminary is a cheap/free way of getting a first-class education. I am afraid I am a bit cynical over accounts of seminaries ‘bursting at the seams’ in poorer countries.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Well, on my Diocese page, you can donate money to the Seminarians, or you can press “Give Prayers” and then you just write down what you’re going to do and it informs the Seminarians by email.

The way the FSSP does it is quite interesting. Costs are about twenty thousand dollars a year, but they say to go to your parish, and put in the bulletin that you need money. Then, go to the Knights of Columbus and ask them, and go around asking Priests in the Diocese to help you. There are also many benefactors that regularly give money to the Seminary in the first place, so they say that you should only be paying seven thousand in the end. However, to go to the Minor Seminary the Diocese sends you, you’ll have to do a lot more begging. I’m not sure why, but it costs twenty-nine thousand dollars to go there, so I probably would ask more people to be benefactors.

How do Religious go about this?

When you are in vows the religious institute takes care of the costs. I do not know how other communities deal with this but we have a group of benefactors that contribute to our formation costs.

 

[TrueLight]

What is a minor seminary? Is that equivalent to a bachelors degree?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

What is a minor seminary? Is that equivalent to a bachelors degree?

Yes, today a minor seminary is also called a college seminary.

It is a place where men working on their bachelors degree live together and receive some sort of formation out side of their classes. It also has structure around the day including communal prayer, Mass, and meals. There may even be scheduled recreation time and work periods.

My question about seminaries is why are the seminarians being formed in a communal religious community type of formation? That is the common prayer, meal, recreation, and in some places work periods when the majority of these seminarians are secular (diocesen) seminarians and will not live this sort of life after they leave the seminary.

 

[bobballen_18]

Well, in my diocese, there is money that goes specifically toward educating seminarians, and I think in most cases, people specifically give toward that cause. If people knowingly give to the cause, and that’s what the money is used for, then it doesn’t really matter if the seminarian goes on to be a priest. I think the point of offering that benefit to seminarians is 1) to help make money a non-factor in entering seminary, and 2) to help foster a support for vocations.

So I guess I was answering ByzCath playing devil’s advocate. That’s how they would justify it, in my opinion.

 

[bobballen_18]

Yes, today a minor seminary is also called a college seminary.

It is a place where men working on their bachelors degree live together and receive some sort of formation out side of their classes. It also has structure around the day including communal prayer, Mass, and meals. There may even be scheduled recreation time and work periods.

My question about seminaries is why are the seminarians being formed in a communal religious community type of formation? That is the common prayer, meal, recreation, and in some places work periods when the majority of these seminarians are secular (diocesen) seminarians and will not live this sort of life after they leave the seminary.

In answer to your question, how else would you have it done? You make a pretty good point, but I think college seminary, at least, is there to MAKE SURE that seminarians are building up their prayer life and all that. Plus, it is important to be with other seminarians in order to make priest friends that you can relate to your whole life. Major seminary is a little different since you generally have more freedom, but at least with the seminarians in my diocese, ALL of them comment on the fraternity that exists at the seminary - another big reason is to be with like-minded people who have the same questions/concerns/goals. They talk about how important that is, a lot. I don’t know if you would suggest a separate program at a Catholic University or what, but it seems that seminary now is a good way to go, IMHO.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Well, in my diocese, there is money that goes specifically toward educating seminarians, and I think in most cases, people specifically give toward that cause. If people knowingly give to the cause, and that’s what the money is used for, then it doesn’t really matter if the seminarian goes on to be a priest. I think the point of offering that benefit to seminarians is 1) to help make money a non-factor in entering seminary, and 2) to help foster a support for vocations.

So I guess I was answering ByzCath playing devil’s advocate. That’s how they would justify it, in my opinion.

Those who donate may be donating to the education of future priests, not to men who may leave the seminary.

In answer to your question, how else would you have it done? You make a pretty good point, but I think college seminary, at least, is there to MAKE SURE that seminarians are building up their prayer life and all that. Plus, it is important to be with other seminarians in order to make priest friends that you can relate to your whole life. Major seminary is a little different since you generally have more freedom, but at least with the seminarians in my diocese, ALL of them comment on the fraternity that exists at the seminary - another big reason is to be with like-minded people who have the same questions/concerns/goals. They talk about how important that is, a lot. I don’t know if you would suggest a separate program at a Catholic University or what, but it seems that seminary now is a good way to go, IMHO.

While all this is true does it really prepare them for life alone in a rectory and the solitude of a secular priest?

 

[bobballen_18]

Those who donate may be donating to the education of future priests, not to men who may leave the seminary.

Maybe…but most people know that not every seminarian goes on to become a priest and/or serve in the same diocese. I think the people that give are aware of this and are just willing to support possible vocations not only for their diocese, but the Catholic Church in general.

While all this is true does it really prepare them for life alone in a rectory and the solitude of a secular priest?

Well, I don’t know for sure, but I would say yes. And a parish priest does not have to spend all of his time in solitude. I obviously don’t know from experience, but I’ve been told many times, and I’ve obvserved as well, that parish priests have many things to do, not just by themselves, but with others.

I know you’re just curious as to whether it really does prepare them or not…but how else would you do it, have them learn all their stuff in solitude, with no one else around, or what?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Well, I don’t know for sure, but I would say yes. And a parish priest does not have to spend all of his time in solitude. I obviously don’t know from experience, but I’ve been told many times, and I’ve obvserved as well, that parish priests have many things to do, not just by themselves, but with others.

I know you’re just curious as to whether it really does prepare them or not…but how else would you do it, have them learn all their stuff in solitude, with no one else around, or what?

I just wonder about the stressing of the Liturgy of the Hours in community.

This is something that they will not have. Also the requirements of recreation and common meals.

You are correct that a priest is not always by themselves. They are a part of a parish community.

But they do not pray the office in common. Nor do they, usually, have their meals and recreation time with other priests. I think maybe they need some aspect of their formation in this and be allowed to experience such things while in the seminary with their formators to assist them in managing it.

 

[bobballen_18]

I just wonder about the stressing of the Liturgy of the Hours in community.This is something that they will not have. Also the requirements of recreation and common meals.

You are correct that a priest is not always by themselves. They are a part of a parish community.

But they do not pray the office in common. Nor do they, usually, have their meals and recreation time with other priests. I think maybe they need some aspect of their formation in this and be allowed to experience such things while in the seminary with their formators to assist them in managing it.

Again, I do not know from experience, but I do know that seminarians are given time alone to deepen their personal prayer life. In light of that, I would guess that it wouldn’t be too much of a problem, if any, to go from saying the Liturgy of the Hours together to saying it by themselves. Don’t quote me on this but I think in college seminary, our seminarians are required to say Liturgy of the Hours together at least twice per day. That’s just a part of keeping track of the seminarians, I think. But in theology, I think I remember being told that times are given to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, but only one is required to be prayed together, and they are free to do the rest on their own. Having been given the base, that is, saying it three times per day or whatever in minor seminary, they are given more freedom to do things like that on their own.

As for meals and recreation, I don’t know what to say about that. But at least in my diocese, everything seems to work out just fine. I am lucky to have grown up in a diocese where our priests have obviously received good training and education.

I, for one, am totally looking forward to it all (assuming God wills it and the Church allows me in, i.e., it’s in His will).

 

[curlycool89]

I just wonder about the stressing of the Liturgy of the Hours in community.

This is something that they will not have. Also the requirements of recreation and common meals.

I think it would just be to get them in the habit of doing all these things.

For the seminarians in undergrad studies, they’re just entering adulthood and have probably never heard of the LOTH before. Having them do communal prayer helps them to get in the habit of praying the various hours, and helps them to learn as they go. I believe that at the local seminary for example, 1st/2nd year undergrads are required to pray the Night Prayer in common whereas the older seminarians are not required to.

The meals and recreation could serve similar purposes. Get the seminarians in the habit of making sure they eat during the day (I’m a university student, so I can say that it’s not uncommon for people to forget to eat, and it’s not a real good habit to develop). The recreation teaches them to always take (or even better, schedule) some “down-time” (or exercise…) for themselves so that they don’t completely burn-out a few months after being ordained as a priest. These 2 would be especially important for those away from home for the first time (you will develop your own habits away from home, and more often then not they’re not very good for you. Many 1st year university students away from home can attest to that idea).

They’re not just trying to form good priests, but also good well-ballenced people. Priests aren’t just robots sent out by the Bishop to dispense sacraments; priests are people too.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

They’re not just trying to form good priests, but also good well-ballenced people. Priests aren’t just robots sent out by the Bishop to dispense sacraments; priests are people too.

And no where did I suggest otherwise.

It is for this very concern that I asked the question.

 

[Nick3886]

Typically (or as far as I know), the education is paid for by the diocese, who usually has organizations who donate money for that purpose (Knights of Columbus, Serra Clubs, various others.) If a seminarian decides to leave before being ordained, more often than not they will pay the diocese back, presumably over time. As far as stipends and spending money go, gifts do come. People do understand that prayers are greatly appreciated, but money is handy to have. It’s not lucrative, but people make sure you aren’t left for dead.

Realistically though, money is the last thing seminarians/prospective seminarians need to worry about.