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Theo2
Guest
Lots of neat posters.
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Maximilian75
Guest
@YoungApologist3
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YoungApologist3
Guest
I am entering college seminary; I don’t have my bachelor’s.
At what level of discernment are you? Is seminary something that is far-off for you, might you enter next year, or are you somewhere in between? If the first, then I would give you my advice, but if seminary is something in your semi-immediate future, then I would recommend against getting my (or any other seminarian’s) advice. Even in the case that I give advice, I will only be repeating what I myself have been told by priests.
Here’s the advice I will give for the time being (until I have more information):
Some other things that helped me personally, and may also help you:
At what level of discernment are you? Is seminary something that is far-off for you, might you enter next year, or are you somewhere in between? If the first, then I would give you my advice, but if seminary is something in your semi-immediate future, then I would recommend against getting my (or any other seminarian’s) advice. Even in the case that I give advice, I will only be repeating what I myself have been told by priests.
Here’s the advice I will give for the time being (until I have more information):
- If you do not personally know a priest, get to know one, whether or not seminary is an immediate possibility for you.
- Ask him any questions you might have, express any doubts or concerns you might…erm…will have about your vocation, etc.
- If you do not yet personally know a priest, in the meantime, pray often, receive Our Lord frequently in the Eucharist, and make use of the Sacrament of Confession as often as you need.
Some other things that helped me personally, and may also help you:
- Contact the Vocations Director of your diocese, explain your situation, ask for advice, and ask him if there’s anyone whom it would be better to contact other than him. (Some dioceses have a priest whose job it is to communicate with and guide young men who are discerning, but who are not yet to the point of applying to the diocese.)
- Obtain and read a copy of To Save a Thousand Souls by Fr. Brett Brennan.
- Regarding any specific prayers to pray, the Rosary is invaluable.
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ShowersofRoses
Guest
Our parish does this, only we use a large standing crucifix. Also, after the announcements, before the recessional, we all recite a prayer for an increase in vocations in our parish. It’s printed on a paper and put on the back of the missalettes in the pews.
I believe this practice is unique in our diocese.
I believe this practice is unique in our diocese.
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EvangelistVictor
Guest
May Christ Holy Spirit fire burn in your heart to complete your seminary training for the high calling to be a fisher of men!
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Theo2
Guest
Done! Thanks prayers are powerful!
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ShowersofRoses
Guest
That’s hilarious!
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ShowersofRoses
Guest
And the video is amazing!! 
Congratulations to all of them!
Congratulations to all of them!
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goodcatholic
Guest
I think being a priest is one of the hardest jobs of all. The 7 days a week aspect to it would rule me out straight away.
But I’m glad there are people like you who are willing to sacrifice all for the good of the parish. God Bless you sir.
But I’m glad there are people like you who are willing to sacrifice all for the good of the parish. God Bless you sir.
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Maximilian75
Guest
If it was up to me, i’d enter ASAP. My mom and dad, however, want me to do 4 years of usual college for the life experience, which I get.
I’ve done the rest of your advice, and will procure ‘To Save a Thousand Souls’ ASAP
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YoungApologist3
Guest
Have you spoken to a trusted priest about this (your parents’ desire for you to attend college first), namely, your Vocations Director? Have you had your parents talk to him?
Generally, most dioceses do not want you unless your parents consent, or you are older (probably post college). Obviously, the universal Church does not desire to force you to go to college first; the minimum age of priestly ordination is 26, which would mean you entered college seminary at 18, major seminary at 22, and were ordained to the priesthood after 8 years total.
The local Church (diocese), on the other hand, may be different. Some dioceses do not accept men without a bachelor’s degree. You will want to find out about that before you continue discerning college seminary. If your diocese does not accept men without a bachelor’s degree, you might want to talk to your spiritual director about applying to another diocese. I myself will not advise for or against going to another diocese. (You also should discern whether you feel it is God’s call for you to remain in your diocese, or find another, or whether you feel called to become a religious priest. Again, talk to your spiritual director.)
You also might want to remind your parents that entering seminary by no means guarantees that you will be a priest. About 50% of men who enter seminary go on to become priests: about 60% of those who go into major seminary, and about 40% of those who go into college seminary. The other 50% mostly go on to become great Catholic fathers of families.
How long have you been discerning? I’m not going to ask exactly what ASAP would mean in your situation, because that would reveal your age.
I am one of those who felt a pull to the priesthood since a very young age: about 3 years old for me. When I was in middle school, I started actually discerning. When I entered high school and planning for college, my parents told me exactly what your parents told you: that they wanted me to get life experience. My parish priest at the time affirmed what they said. He said that I ought to date first.
When I began attending an annual diocesan discernment program the summer before my sophomore year, my parents still had every desire for me to attend regular college. At that program, I asked some priests about my (your) situation. They said that I should not attend regular college if I feel that it is God’s will for me to attend college seminary, especially because the culture in college is very hostile to practicing Catholicism. I told my parents all of this, and they basically said to wait it out. I still had several years until I was able to enter seminary, anyways.
(continued)
Generally, most dioceses do not want you unless your parents consent, or you are older (probably post college). Obviously, the universal Church does not desire to force you to go to college first; the minimum age of priestly ordination is 26, which would mean you entered college seminary at 18, major seminary at 22, and were ordained to the priesthood after 8 years total.
The local Church (diocese), on the other hand, may be different. Some dioceses do not accept men without a bachelor’s degree. You will want to find out about that before you continue discerning college seminary. If your diocese does not accept men without a bachelor’s degree, you might want to talk to your spiritual director about applying to another diocese. I myself will not advise for or against going to another diocese. (You also should discern whether you feel it is God’s call for you to remain in your diocese, or find another, or whether you feel called to become a religious priest. Again, talk to your spiritual director.)
You also might want to remind your parents that entering seminary by no means guarantees that you will be a priest. About 50% of men who enter seminary go on to become priests: about 60% of those who go into major seminary, and about 40% of those who go into college seminary. The other 50% mostly go on to become great Catholic fathers of families.
How long have you been discerning? I’m not going to ask exactly what ASAP would mean in your situation, because that would reveal your age.
I am one of those who felt a pull to the priesthood since a very young age: about 3 years old for me. When I was in middle school, I started actually discerning. When I entered high school and planning for college, my parents told me exactly what your parents told you: that they wanted me to get life experience. My parish priest at the time affirmed what they said. He said that I ought to date first.
When I began attending an annual diocesan discernment program the summer before my sophomore year, my parents still had every desire for me to attend regular college. At that program, I asked some priests about my (your) situation. They said that I should not attend regular college if I feel that it is God’s will for me to attend college seminary, especially because the culture in college is very hostile to practicing Catholicism. I told my parents all of this, and they basically said to wait it out. I still had several years until I was able to enter seminary, anyways.
(continued)
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YoungApologist3
Guest
(continued from previous post)
Eventually, after they conversed with several priests on the matter, my parents decided that if I still wanted to enter college seminary when I was of college age, they would give me their blessing. When I began the application process, it required a letter of recommendation from your pastor, parochial vicar (if you have one), and another priest or religious who knows you well. The only other priest that knew me well was my former pastor—the one that told me to not enter college seminary. I called him up to ask him, nervous about what he would say. He said that he “would be honored” to write a letter of recommendation for me. I guess he figured that if I still wanted to enter college seminary after all these years, I ought to enter college seminary. He also told me that, from a young age (he had been my pastor for many years), he said to himself about me, “that boy’s gonna be a priest one day.”
I don’t know how much—if any—of that applies to you in your situation. However, don’t be discouraged that your parents do not yet want you to enter college seminary. If you have a couple of years until you graduate high school, great! Make it obvious to your parents that you are truly discerning. They may change their mind if you still feel called to enter college seminary when you are old enough.
Disclaimer: I do not know your specific situation. If your spiritual director says anything contrary to what I have said, go with what he said; do not follow this random stranger on the internet’s advice. Again, I am not a priest. I am just a newly accepted seminarian who has exactly zero days of seminary under his belt.
Eventually, after they conversed with several priests on the matter, my parents decided that if I still wanted to enter college seminary when I was of college age, they would give me their blessing. When I began the application process, it required a letter of recommendation from your pastor, parochial vicar (if you have one), and another priest or religious who knows you well. The only other priest that knew me well was my former pastor—the one that told me to not enter college seminary. I called him up to ask him, nervous about what he would say. He said that he “would be honored” to write a letter of recommendation for me. I guess he figured that if I still wanted to enter college seminary after all these years, I ought to enter college seminary. He also told me that, from a young age (he had been my pastor for many years), he said to himself about me, “that boy’s gonna be a priest one day.”
I don’t know how much—if any—of that applies to you in your situation. However, don’t be discouraged that your parents do not yet want you to enter college seminary. If you have a couple of years until you graduate high school, great! Make it obvious to your parents that you are truly discerning. They may change their mind if you still feel called to enter college seminary when you are old enough.
Disclaimer: I do not know your specific situation. If your spiritual director says anything contrary to what I have said, go with what he said; do not follow this random stranger on the internet’s advice. Again, I am not a priest. I am just a newly accepted seminarian who has exactly zero days of seminary under his belt.
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Maximilian75
Guest
Yes, but only a parish priest.
No.
My doicesean seminary allows for direct-from-high school entry.
I’ve said this and they still want me to go to college.
Probably for the last 5 years, far more intensely in the last year. I’m about to enter my senior year of HS.
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brian_custer
Guest
that is pretty darn good
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Theo2
Guest
In addition to what YoungApologist3 said which was all good, ask your parents and others to pray that God will guide your choice. Part of discernment is asking others to pray. You have my prayers.
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Seagull
Guest
I’m reading a small book - “ All about the Angels “ -
Chapter 4 - only 9 pages in length -
will convince you - Angels are at mass - very happy too -
around the altar - so glorious -
If the average Catholic only knew - never mind the Priest -
we would attend each mass much more differently -
we’d be way more devout and fervent -
we’d pay extra close detail, to every word said - etc -
I recommend this book -
Or at least list to it on YouTube -
Listen at the 1:12 point
Chapter 4 - only 9 pages in length -
will convince you - Angels are at mass - very happy too -
around the altar - so glorious -
If the average Catholic only knew - never mind the Priest -
we would attend each mass much more differently -
we’d be way more devout and fervent -
we’d pay extra close detail, to every word said - etc -
I recommend this book -
Or at least list to it on YouTube -
Listen at the 1:12 point
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lilypadrees
Guest
I was thinking about you earlier and praying you were well. I look forward to reading your updates.
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Theo2
Guest
Good info. I will try to set up a group message tomorrow. Keep praying!
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PJM
Guest
It is soooo refreshing to hear what the OTHER 97% contribute to society.
Thanks and God’s continued prayers &blessings
Patrick
Thanks and God’s continued prayers &blessings
Patrick
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Theo2
Guest
Cajun, Have you read the story of the mothers from Lu Italy?
It is on the internet. I think you should consider starting a parish vocation committee.
It is on the internet. I think you should consider starting a parish vocation committee.