Where could one go to become a very conservative diocesan priest?

[hwriggles4]

A am very conservative and know I would be unhappy in a very liberal setting. I know because I was in a liberal seminary once. I don’t want to make the same mistake a second time.

Trad1:

While I’m not a vocations director, what you could do is move to an area that you would like to live, and a place that has more of a reputation for orthodoxy. You could also check in advance what seminaries certain dioceses use (again, that may change depending on newer bishops), as quite a few post them on their website with their seminarians. Being a former seminarian, you probably have some good inside information.

Some dioceses have guidelines for former seminarians (i.e. vocation directors do talk to each other, and will need transcripts and other paperwork, as well as testing), and some orders do as well. If you are called to preaching and leading retreats (and are under 40 years of age) you might want to give Fr. Bill Casey, C.P.M. a call.

Another thought is to contact the FSSP in Nebraska. If you are called to the TLM, and under 40 years of age, the FSSP might be a good “fit” for you as well.

I do know that several dioceses have a residency requirement (i.e. live in the diocese for a year or more before making application, but this varies - if you have relatives somewhere this might be overlooked on a case by case basis) so if you do relocate, be prepared to find a secular job.

If you have some money saved up, I think Ave Maria University and Franciscan University of Steubenville still have a pre-theologate, where a prospective seminarian can utilize his own dime for Pre-Theology preparation prior to going to major seminary (the seminarian must be sponsored by a diocese before entering major seminary). Some vocation directors (some, not all) recruit seminarians for U.S. Dioceses from these places.

Trad1, this may be late information, but I hope it is helpful to you. Good luck!!

 

[hwriggles4]

Trad1:

While Borromeo in Philadelphia and Vianney in Denver have already been mentioned, here are a few other seminaries worth mentioning:

1. Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland (please do not confuse this with Baltimore).
2. Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit (much better than 25 years ago)
3. Mount St. Mary’s of the West in the Cincinnati (Ohio) area. I’ve heard the newer Archbishop of Cincinnati has turned this around quite a bit, and more dioceses and orders are sending seminarians there that it is getting full.
4. For an undergraduate (BA) in Philosophy, Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas is pretty good. More dioceses are sending seminarians there now, and with the growth in vocations in some of the Texas dioceses such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and Galveston-Houston, the seminary is getting full, and quite a few other dioceses are sending undergraduate seminarians there too. Pre-theology candidates (those who already have a BA in something) are often sent here in order to get up to speed in Philosophy and Theology. Many courses are held in conjunction with the University of Dallas.
5. I’ve heard Kenrick Glennon in the St. Louis area is pretty good too.
6. St. Gregory the Great in Nebraska (the FSSP seminary). The Lincoln diocese sends some seminarians there as well.
7. Many “late vocations” are going to Blessed (now St.) John XXIII seminary in Boston, which is primarily for older seminarians. A widower in my diocese is studying there.
8. Another place for “late vocations” as well as some from religious orders is Holy Apostles in Cromwell, Connecticut. Holy Apostles also has a good reputation.

Hope this helps a little too.

 

[bobballen_18]

If you have some money saved up, I think Ave Maria University and Franciscan University of Steubenville still have a pre-theologate

Ave Maria University no longer has a pre-theologate program. Its last year was my freshman year (2010-2011).

As far as the terms “liberal” and “conservative” go - well, I agree that one should be careful using those terms. That is, some people only see them as political terms, and we should be duly careful to whom we speak in those terms. However, just look up the definition of the words - both words’ actual definition do not in themselves have anything to with politics, so theoretically, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using those terms. When talking amongst friends who know what you’re talking about, it’s fine, but in most cases, it is not safe to do so. It is more safe, to be sure your audience knows what you mean and to not cause adverse reactions, to use the terms “orthodox” and “unorthodox”. Because that’s really all it boils down to.

 

[bobballen_18]

In addition to my above post - to actually respond a little more on topic…

On one hand, it is very good to be able to deal with what one is dealt in terms of diocesan seminaries. That is, it is good to be obedient to your diocese’s bishop and to make the most you can of your formation. After all, it seems the majority of priests are called to be diocesan priests, and it’s great that you want a traditional approach to seminary formation. We need many more young, traditional priests for both current and future generations in our dioceses.

The OP mentioned something about wanting to say the English Mass, so my next paragraph will perhaps be pointless. But anyway: on the other hand, there are other priests who are certainly called not only to religious orders but also to places like the FSSP. I know that there are some good diocesan seminaries out there - much good work has gone into restoring seminaries to orthodoxy in the past decade or two - but a seminarian studying with the FSSP is guaranteed solid formation and does not have to worry about whether or not his formation will be good and/or orthodox.

It all depends on one’s personal strengths and weaknesses, and in this case of potential seminarians/priests, the question that must be asked is, in what diocese or with what order will I be able to become the most holy priest, and how can I best be the man God created me to be?

Specifically to the OP, I hope you are regularly speaking with a spiritual director. If you are called to the diocesan priesthood, then perhaps you are making the right move “shopping” dioceses based on which seminaries they send their seminarians to, but as many have already said, things could easily change with a different bishop. If you aren’t careful, the search could turn into something else and you could lose your possible vocation. Waiting around looking for the “right” situation could cost you precious time.

I am praying for you - I pray often for those discerning their vocation, especially men such as yourself who are discerning priesthood. I will soon be beginning my own application to seminary, and probably share some of your same thoughts regarding being traditional (although it appears we are taking different routes). Please pray for me too!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I have heard that the Diocese of Lincoln Nebraska is conservative. As an earlier poster has
stated, I don’t know if you are allowed to choose where you want to go.

Indeed it is. There is also one in Wisconsin that is very conservative.