The Path to Priest?

[alexpatton9]

Hello

My question for those who might have the answer is if I must have a college degree before starting the process of becoming a priest. Is a degree something one can work toward in after starting the process or must one be had in a particular field of study already.
I have graduated high-school and have a strong deire to serve both God and Church as a priest. Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

 

[bilop]

Hello

My question for those who might have the answer is if I must have a college degree before starting the process of becoming a priest. Is a degree something one can work toward in after starting the process or must one be had in a particular field of study already.
I have graduated high-school and have a strong deire to serve both God and Church as a priest. Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

Alex,

Welcome to CAF! It is wonderful that you wish to be a priest!

Most major Seminaries require a college degree. That being said, many dioceses and orders have minor seminaries where you can live in a seminary environment while attending college.
Often, local Catholic colleges give a heavy discount on tuition to seminarians. In NY (where I live) college seminarians live at St. Joseph’s Seminary in the St. John Neumann program and can attend St. John’s, Fordham, Iona or Manhattan College with discounted tuition.

So, you can certainly start the process, but generally need to get a college degree before major seminary.

What dioceses/orders are you considering? Have you spoken to a vocation director? They can help you with these questions, and can help you find a spiritual director, which is a must for discernment.

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!

 

[alexpatton9]

Thank You Bilop,

What you have written has confirmed what others have shared. My problem right now is being unfamiliar with the diocese where I currently live. I have recently relocated to Reno Nevada because my parents and siblings now live here. The plan had been to go to UNR for a bachelors in Philosophy. However I believe the wisest next step may be to become familiar with the vocational director here. I appreciate the welcome and clarification, thank you very much!

 

[bilop]

Thank You Bilop,

What you have written has confirmed what others have shared. My problem right now is being unfamiliar with the diocese where I currently live. I have recently relocated to Reno Nevada because my parents and siblings now live here. The plan had been to go to UNR for a bachelors in Philosophy. However I believe the wisest next step may be to become familiar with the vocational director here. I appreciate the welcome and clarification, thank you very much!

I agree. And be sure to get a spiritual director!

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!

 

[Padilla7921]

Alex,

We are in very similar situations. I am in my second year at the University of Central Florida and intend to go on to seminary after I graduate. Like you, I am majoring in Philosophy, but I am also minoring in Religious Studies (which you may or may not be doing).

Towards the end of high school, and even during my freshman year, I questioned whether or not I should just enter into seminary to begin the process of becoming a priest. I eventually concluded that going to UCF would be the best thing for me. This was confirmed when I talked to my high school’s chaplain this past May, who told me that he did something quite similar, and that he was actually ahead of the students who had not attended a non-seminary institution of higher learning.

And yeah, you’re right about forming a relationship with the vocation director in your diocese. You can also familiarize yourself with your school’s on-campus Catholic ministry and talk to priests that way.

Good luck and God bless.

To bilop: Thank you! You clarified a few things for me, too!