The Seminary, College, and Debt

[IrishDude45]

I will graduate from high school next year and I am discerning a vocation to the priesthood. My parents have made it clear that I must attend university before entering a seminary. We have never been well off and my parents counted on me attending a state university in order to even begin to pay for it but I would like to study theology at a Catholic university which is terribly expensive. I will have massive amounts of debt upon graduation…but I cannot enter a seminary with debt! I am trying to figure out what to do, it will be difficult enough to discern my vocation with daily access to the Mass, confession, and the spiritual direction found at a Catholic university and I feel that attempting to do that in a non-Catholic environment with wild parties, sex, drugs, and all the rest will make it next to impossible. I’ve thought about just trying to go to seminary after graduation and since it would take 7 years I would have enough time to discern but I don’t want to rush things. Are there any scholarships, organizations, or anyone that would assist me? Anyone else in the same boat or figured out some way to make it work?

 

[SerraSemper]

My suggestion to you is to talk with the Vocations Director of the place you are considering becoming a priest (diocesan or institute of consecrated life). Many places have resources for people in your situation and can give you guidance as you continue your discernment process.

 

[Highwayhound]

One source for scholarship money would be the Knights of Columbus. Take some time and talk to the men there and explain your goals. Maybe they can offer some help.

 

[HAP0623]

Most colleges arent just about sex, drugs, and alcohol. I went to a state college, and even joined a sorority, and I was never pressured or anything. We had 5 churches in our town, and a shuttle that went there every sunday. We even had a nice Catholic group on campus which went together. I wanted to go to a Catholic school, however couldnt afford it and don’t regret going to my state school. There are temptations, but if you become friends with the right people, you wont be tempted. In a way, I think high school was worse, at least in college your an adult and its easier to say no. God bless, and good luck on your journey to priesthood!

 

[IrishDude45]

Most colleges arent just about sex, drugs, and alcohol. I went to a state college, and even joined a sorority, and I was never pressured or anything. /QUOTE]

I agree that most colleges aren’t just about these things but the colleges in my state have notorious reputations as party schools. Plus there are very few Catholics in my state…****

 

[Mark77]

God Bless You!

Without Priests we would not be able to celebrate Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist!

I agree that you should start with the vocations director. If you are serious about becoming a Priest then pray, spend time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and get involved in your Parish activities.

Money comes and goes, the Priesthood is Sacred for all Eternity!!!

God will take care of everything!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

Mark

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

Okay, here’s the deal O’Neil…

On the undergraduate side of things, it really doesn’t matter if you attend a seminary or not. Major in what you want, but you will have to get a minor in philosophy (in Chicago, where I was a seminarian, it was required to have 24 credit hours in philosophy which is more than a minor. 12 hours of theology as well, but that may have changed, and even if it did, it would not have changed that much). Check what the *specific * prerequisite requirements are for the major seminary in your diocese.

Does your state college have a Newman Center? You should be able to find Catholic community at a state college, despite the party atmosphere. And really, if your vocation thoughts can’t survive the test of being at a party school, then you might not have a vocation. Are you really that tempted to partake? You could be a good witness to your classmates. It is a fallen world that you will walk through, ordained or not, so why not put your vocation to the test? Get a spiritual director (a qualified one–ask for a resume:blush and keep a circle of faithful (Catholic or otherwise, at least “God-Fearing”) friends you can rely on. And…why not go on a couple of dates? Even seminarians at the undergraduate level have been known to date while in the seminary (clandestinely, of course, but it happened), and at your age, it might not be a bad thing (not wild sex, but dates. Dinner and a movie, handholding and hugs, a goodnight kiss on the doorstep, etc).

Even if you have college debt after you graduate, a major seminary is unlikely to turn you away just for that, especially if they think you have a vocation as much as you do. You have four years. Discern and be as steadfast as possible. It won’t be easy, but neither is being a priest. Going to the seminary is no guarantee against wild parties anyway. Trust me, I know. We had a yearly Oktoberfest celebration at my seminary, and the Jagermeister flowed.

So anyway, I’m an old man (41) and I finished the seminary, got married, and I’m now getting divorced. You may actually feel more free to discern at your state university (I taught college English for several years, and counselled several of my students who confided in me that they felt they had a vocation). The title of “seminarian” can be a burden as well as a blessing, especially if you’re not really sure. You are still discerning. Don’t get me wrong; I do know a priest who never dated, went through seminary for his entire education (high school, undergrad, grad) and claimed to never have missed dating. He was *that *sure. But he was a rarity. I know of another priest whom broke up with his girlfriend the week before he became ordained. Both are vital members of Church. Who’s to say what your walk will be like before you start walking?

So the practical advice is: find out the curriculum requirements for your major seminary. Others have said seek out your Vocation Director. Good idea. He’ll probably have an exact figure of what “acceptable” debt is. Remember, as a Catholic Priest, you *do *get a paycheck. And if you live in a parish, you won’t have to pay rent or utilities.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

One source for scholarship money would be the Knights of Columbus. Take some time and talk to the men there and explain your goals. Maybe they can offer some help.

I once got $500 from the Knights of Columbus as a seminarian. Once.