State of world economy and vocations

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Hello everyone,

I wonder with the current state of our economy right now, how many orders are having financial problems? For those discerning religious orders, how will it affect them?

I’m currently discerning a vocation to a religious order, but will probably enter one empty handed since I don’t have much money besides what is in my 401k (which is being battered mercilessly).

God bless,
Ben
 
Oddly enough, I read somewhere that vocations actually go up whenever there is economic downturn.

God always provides, though.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Right now I am in the process of readying myself to enter the seminary after I graduate from the University of Central Florida. I have taken out student loans (not much, because Florida has a brilliant scholarship program) and will probably take out student loans each of the next two years I attend.

I am quite worried about how these loans will affect my being able to enter seminary and become a priest. I don’t know how I’ll be able to pay off these loans, or even pay for seminary (if seminary has to be paid, I have absolutely no idea to be honest).

It’s something that I constantly think about, but in the end, I know that God will provide. The thing is, I currently don’t know how God will provide, which is why I always think about the situation.
 
Padilla7921 said:
Right now I am in the process of readying myself to enter the seminary after I graduate from the University of Central Florida. I have taken out student loans (not much, because Florida has a brilliant scholarship program) and will probably take out student loans each of the next two years I attend.

I am quite worried about how these loans will affect my being able to enter seminary and become a priest. I don’t know how I’ll be able to pay off these loans, or even pay for seminary (if seminary has to be paid, I have absolutely no idea to be honest).

It’s something that I constantly think about, but in the end, I know that God will provide. The thing is, I currently don’t know how God will provide, which is why I always think about the situation.
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Many diocese pay for major seminary completely. There are also programs for student loan forgiveness upon ordination, and Catholic groups like the Serrans and KofC also provide financial assitance.

Don’t despair!

God Bless
 
bilop said:
Many diocese pay for major seminary completely. There are also programs for student loan forgiveness upon ordination, and Catholic groups like the Serrans and KofC also provide financial assitance.

Don’t despair!
Click to expand...
Ah this is wonderful news. But what about Orders? As of right now, I don’t plan on becoming a diocesan priest; rather, I feel called to join an Order (the Dominican Order is quite appealing to me). Then again, this could change, but only time will tell.
 
Padilla7921 said:
Ah this is wonderful news. But what about Orders? As of right now, I don’t plan on becoming a diocesan priest; rather, I feel called to join an Order (the Dominican Order is quite appealing to me). Then again, this could change, but only time will tell.
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I think it varies by order, and their financial resources.

Why not contact the ones that interest you, and ask?

God Bless
 
bilop said:
I think it varies by order, and their financial resources.

Why not contact the ones that interest you, and ask?
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I intend to. I have a meeting with a diocesan Director of Vocations next Tuesday, and then I’ll take it from there.
 
Padilla7921 said:
Ah this is wonderful news. But what about Orders? As of right now, I don’t plan on becoming a diocesan priest; rather, I feel called to join an Order (the Dominican Order is quite appealing to me). Then again, this could change, but only time will tell.
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Orders pay for seminary as well, so don’t worry. In fact, the Dominicans operate their own seminary, the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
 
JDHallKY said:
Orders pay for seminary as well, so don’t worry. In fact, the Dominicans operate their own seminary, the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
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This news is amazing. It really brings me peace of mind, especially during these tough economic times. Thank you so much for pointing this out for me.

I meet with my diocese’s Director of Vocations on Tuesday. I intend to ask him a lot of questions so I don’t feel so lost about this whole thing. Until then (and even after), all this great news is incredibly encouraging!
 
Don’t be afraid to ask the vocations director a lot of specific questions, even if they seem mundane. I struggled with that at first, didn’t want to seem like I was too focused on minor things instead of my call, but they really expect you to ask about the nuts and bolts stuff.

I will tell you, though, since I’m pretty sure this is true for all dioceses (orders vary a great deal). A diocese will send a man to seminary with a sort of student loan deal. If you end up being ordained and serve as a priest in the diocese, or if the diocese drops you, then you owe them nothing. If you quit, however, you pay them back the tuition they paid for you, over time of course.
 
JDHallKY said:
I will tell you, though, since I’m pretty sure this is true for all dioceses (orders vary a great deal). A diocese will send a man to seminary with a sort of student loan deal. If you end up being ordained and serve as a priest in the diocese, or if the diocese drops you, then you owe them nothing. If you quit, however, you pay them back the tuition they paid for you, over time of course.
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That’s kind of what I was thinking it was going to be like, which I have no problem with. I plan on asking the priest that tomorrow morning when I meet with him. I will definitely ask the “nuts and bolts” stuff, as they are important too.
 
Padilla7921 said:
Right now I am in the process of readying myself to enter the seminary after I graduate from the University of Central Florida. I have taken out student loans (not much, because Florida has a brilliant scholarship program) and will probably take out student loans each of the next two years I attend.

I am quite worried about how these loans will affect my being able to enter seminary and become a priest. I don’t know how I’ll be able to pay off these loans, or even pay for seminary (if seminary has to be paid, I have absolutely no idea to be honest).

It’s something that I constantly think about, but in the end, I know that God will provide. The thing is, I currently don’t know how God will provide, which is why I always think about the situation.
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I just wanted to say THANK YOU for considering your vocation! As a fellow Central Floridian (although, I went to UF, sorry 😉 ), it’s so great to see young men excited about the priesthood.
God bless you! 🙂
(BTW - Is Fr. Steven still at UCF? He came from our parish)
 
JDHallKY said:
Orders pay for seminary as well, so don’t worry. In fact, the Dominicans operate their own seminary, the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
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I just want to point out that that DHS in Washington, DC is the formation house for the Eastern province. Each province typically has their own house of formation. As a Floridian, Padilla lives in the Southern province, which currently sends their brothers to the Central province’s House of Studies in St. Louis. The Southern province was just formed in 1979 and hasn’t yet established its own seminary.

Finally, in case Padilla is interested: the two provinces with which I’ve been in contact (Eastern and Central) will absorb up to $30,000 of student loans.

God bless,

Chris
 
Em_in_FL said:
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for considering your vocation! As a fellow Central Floridian (although, I went to UF, sorry 😉 ), it’s so great to see young men excited about the priesthood.
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It’s okay, I’ve learned to accept the fact that there are some people in this world that choose to be Gators. You are forgiven!
(BTW - Is Fr. Steven still at UCF? He came from our parish)
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Yes, he is still the pastor of UCF’s Catholic Campus Ministries. Also, he is the head pastor of a newly founded Church down the road from the University. They plan to break ground on an actual sanctuary building later this year.
 
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