ANSWERS ON THE SEMINARY

How does one prepare and where do you go to become a Priest?

Men who believe that God might be calling them to be a priest prepare for the priesthood and continue to discern in a "seminary." A seminary is a place of study and formation for men called by God to discern the priesthood. At the seminary the discernment process involves the discernment of the candidate and the discernment of the Church. To go to the seminary a man must be sponsored by a Diocese or a religious order.

In the seminary a man has to engage in a challenging program that has four dimensions. These dimensions or pillars are: human, spiritual, pastoral and academic. In addition to the academic coursework, seminarians participate in a full schedule of spiritual activities including daily Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual direction and retreats. At each level of seminary training, the seminarian prepares for future pastoral ministry in various settings, such as schools, religious education programs, hospitals and parishes. All of this formation takes into consideration the human person. Human growth and development is fostered by community living, workshops and other programs. Finally, the preparations for future priests includes practical learning as well, including courses related to preaching, celebration of the Sacraments and pastoral counseling.

How old do you have to be before you enter the seminary?

There is no certain age to start preparing for the priesthood. The only requirement is that you must be 24 years old to be ordained a priest. Some men enter the seminary after high school, others after college, and others after they have been working for years.

If I decide to "give priestly discernment a try" and enter the seminary, am I committed for life?

No, you are not. The point in discerning a vocation is not that you become a priest, rather the point of discernment is to help you figure out and become the person that God created and calls you to be. If you feel that God is leading you in the direction of a priestly vocation, the best way to know for sure is to enter the seminary. Often, men who enter the seminary are not sure if they really are called to be a priest or not, but it is a strong possibility that has been on their mind and so they enter the seminary so that the system that is in place and the advisors who are present in the seminary can help them identify what God is calling them to do with their lives. During the years spent in formation, God's will for you becomes clearer as you pray and discern with others. Even if it should be discovered that you are not called to the priesthood, the time you spend drawing closer to God and becoming the person you were created to be will pay a lifetime worth of benefits.

If you were to enter the seminary right out of High School, it would take you a minimum of 8 years to become a priest (about the same amount of time as it would take you to become a doctor!) so there is a lot of time available to you in the seminary to discern. Even if you come into the seminary with a college (Bachelor's) degree, most likely you will not have completed all the prerequisites necessary to enter Major seminary and thus you will have to take 2 years of "pre-theology" in order to qualify to get into a Major Seminary, this means that even if you've had a lot of education you will still have a lot of time for quality vocational discernment.

With modern communications and technological advances we can get information and accomplish a lot more work in a day than was possible years ago. But despite all those advances, the way discernment and learning to understand God's call has not changed. It still takes a good amount of time and patient prayer to discern God's will. When a man enters the seminary, as time goes by he learns more about his heart and God's call for him will become clearer. In that process, if he decides to leave the seminary that doesn't mean that the discernment process didn't work, in fact just the opposite - it means that it does!

How do I know what God is calling me to be?

It is God's work to reveal His will to you. Your responsibility is to be open and receptive to him in prayerful consideration of what to do with this life we have been giving. While one can ask, "What do I want to do with my life?" or "What do I want to become." It is far better to prayerfully ask: "Jesus, what do you want me to be?" or "How do you want me to love You?" And listen for the answer! Listen with your heart, not just your head.

ANSWERS ON PRIESTHOOD

Do priests take vows?

Priests who belong to a religious order (like the Benedictines, Dominicans and Franciscans) take three vows: poverty, chastity and obedience. Diocesan priests take no vows, but during the ordination ceremony they make three promises: prayer, celibacy and obedience. It is also expected that diocesan priests, who identify themselves with the One who had no place to lay His head, will lead a life of simplicity consonant with the people they serve.

What are the expectations of men who are priests?

The Catholic Church expects Her priests to be men of prayer who have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and can lead others in prayer, primarily through the Sacraments of the Church. Priests are to be preachers of God's Word who know it and live it in their hearts and are able to proclaim it in ways that help others know and live it in their hearts. To be men of faith who are able to guide others in their understanding and practice of the Roman Catholic faith.

Each priest is expected to know, live and tell the story of our faith. To assist the parish communities in their participation in the mission of the Church by establishing healthy and effective relationships with men and women, and enabling these parishioners to offer their gifts and talents in the service of God's people. And finally, priests are also call on to be effective administrators of the parish's fiscal and human resources.

How long are you a Priest?

Once a man is ordained as a priest, he is a priest forever.

How long does it take to become a Priest?

The answer to this question depends upon the level of education a man has when he begins his studies for the priesthood. There are two levels of seminaries utilized by the Diocese of Phoenix. The first is college level, also known as "Minor Seminary", which takes 4 years to complete. This is where the men complete the philosophy and other requirements to get into the second level and is where they will have earned at least one bachelor's degree. The second level, called "Major Seminary" also takes 4 years to complete. This is where the men study Theology and other courses related to Sacred Scripture and the Catholic faith and will have earned at least one master's degree. So, for a young man coming out of high school and with no other education, it would take a minimum of 8 years to become a priest.

However, some men entering into the seminary have already graduated from college and have a bachelor's degree when they begin. These men will likely take 2 years of "Pre-Theology" before they enter Major Seminary.

So, when a priest is ordained, he has completed at least one bachelor's degree and at least one master's degree. Some priests have more than one degree at each level of education. Also, some seminarians take a year off from their seminary studies, called a "Pastoral Year," to work in a parish. Others take what is called a "Spirituality Year" which allows them continued time of growth and discernment. Thus the amount of time it takes any particular man to become a priest depends upon many individual factors.

What personal qualifications does a man need to study for the priesthood?

To study for the priesthood you must be a Roman Catholic man who:

• is genuinely interested in service to Jesus Christ and the Church
• actively participates in the life of a parish
• is single and free from any vows, relationships or impediments that would prevent him from fully giving himself to the priesthood
• has an active faith relationship with Jesus which is fostered through personal prayer and the sacraments
• feels called to serve God and His Church and experiences a desire to be a priest
• has a generous spirit which allows him to be aware of, and willing to serve, the needs of others
• has a willingness to live a healthy celibate lifestyle and make a permanent commitment to that life
• has a willingness to enter the seminary
• has the support and recommendation of his pastor
• is in good health (generally younger than 40 years old)
• has good intellectual and intelligence capabilities

ANSWERS ON ORDINATION

What is ordination?

Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest or bishop and enabled to minister in the name of Christ and His Church. There are three ordinations in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: deaconate, priesthood and episcopacy (bishop). The ordination ceremony includes various rituals that are rich in meaning and history, such as the prostration, the laying on of hands, the anointing of the hands, the giving of the chalice and paten and the sign of peace.

What does the anointing of the hands signify?

Anointing with oil stems from the Old Testament and indicates that someone or something is being set apart for a sacred task or duty. The anointing of the hands signifies that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels which will be part of the priestly ministry - offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick and blessing people. As he anoints the hands of the man being ordained the bishop says: "The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God."

What is the meaning of the newly ordained priest receiving the stole and chasuble?

These are vestments which pertain to his office and have symbolic meaning. The stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ. It reflects the line from the Scripture: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden light" (Matthew 11:30).

The chasuble is the principal garment of the priest celebrating the Eucharist and is his outermost vestment. In wearing it the priest is reminded that he is called to love all people as Christ did in a sacramental manner and it reflects the line from Scripture: "Put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24). Symbolizing his holy love, the priest wears the chasuble over his stole because the emphasis of a priest's ministry is to project his love for the faithful, not his authority over them.

Why does the man becoming a priest lie prostrate on the floor during the ordination?

Within the ordination rite the man being ordained lies prostrate during the Litany of Saints and the prayer that follows it. It symbolizes his unworthiness for the office to be assumed and his dependence upon God and the prayers of the entire Christian community to be successful in his new ministry.

What is the meaning of the laying on of hands?

By this ritual, the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the man being ordained, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for ministry in the Church.

Who can ordain priests?

Only a bishop can ordain a priest because as a successor to the Apostles, he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed on through those same Apostles.

ANSWERS ON DISCERNMENT

What is a vocation?

A vocation is who you are. For most men and women their vocation is to be a married person, for some men it is to be an ordained priest or deacon, for some people it is to be a person vowed to a religious community, and for others their vocation is to remain a single person committed in some way to Christ. Ultimately, God's invitation or calling to each of us is to love and serve Him and His Church in the particular state or way of life that he created us for.

I'm not all that "holy". Can I still be a priest if I'm not very holy?

Holiness - being like Jesus - is a lifetime endeavor for every person in every vocation. If you don't see yourself as very holy right now, know that God can change you slowly, day by day and week by week. When the time is right, you will be ready to be His instrument of grace for others. But for now, go to confession and take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month. Repent of your sins, go to Mass as often as possible and pray every day. You will be surprised at how Christ-like you can become.

Building an atmosphere in our Diocese that promotes vocations requires that all people become aware of the tremendous dignity of their call to holiness and a life lived in union with Christ, no matter what their state of life is. We must be encouraged and encourage others to understand that the deepest longing of the human heart is to know and love Our Lord personally, to follow Him faithfully and to serve Him generously in whatever vocational state of life He is inviting us to embrace. God does not call the perfect, he perfects the called!

How do I know what life choices God is calling me to?

You must pray every day, asking God to reveal His plan for you. Do not ask yourself, "What do I want to do with my life?" or "What do I want to become." These are the wrong questions! Rather, you should be thinking and asking: "Jesus, what do you want me to be?" or "How do you want me to love You?" And listen for the answer! Listen with your heart, not just your head.

Can I be happy in my life if I don't follow the vocation Jesus invites me to embrace?

If someone does not follow the vocation for which Christ made them, they can attain a certain degree of happiness in this world and still attain salvation. However, they will not be as happy or blessed as they would otherwise have been had they followed God’s will for them. This is why it is so important that everyone discern their particular vocation prayerfully and responsibly. Of course, there are trials and challenges in every vocation. To become a priest does not prevent you from experiencing frustration, suffering and sadness in your life. But there is great joy in laying down one's life for Christ. Your vocation is Christ's gift to you. How you respond is your gift to Him.

Can't I be whatever I want?

Yes! Each person's freedom lies in discovering his or her particular vocation and in generously responding to the Lord who calls them to such great things in the state or way of life that He calls them to. God always allows us the freedom to choose what we are going to do. One must remember however, that what God wants is truly the most joyful place for us. This is because he loves us far more than we could even love ourselves.

ANSWERS ON CELIBACY

Why do you affirm that celibacy is a path to Christian fullness?

Father García-Morato: Both celibacy as well as marriage are paths to Christian fullness, namely, to holiness. St. John in his gospel reveals that "God is Love" and because we are created in God's image and likeness, we are all called to love. Christian revelation points out two vocational paths of fully realizing this divine identity: marriage and celibacy in any of its forms. Both are included in God's plans. Both need each other to understand each other better. Both are a ways of self-giving. And in order to give oneself, one must first possess oneself. As a person created in God's image and likeness, we are not "half a person." Each person is complete in himself. Only a complete person can bring his whole self into play and give himself - to God or to another person - with sufficient maturity to make that decision freely.

This is why chastity and celibacy are part of the path of human and Christian fullness. Because when it comes to loving God, in response to a call that is implied in that gift, every dimension of our humanity must come into play, especially those that depend on the masculine or feminine condition, excluding simply the exercise of sexuality outside of monogamous marital relations. That was the lifestyle of Jesus Christ, the perfect man, and of the Virgin Mary - a lifestyle that has an irreplaceable role in the history of redemption.

Do you think priestly celibacy is a topic that can be revised theologically? Could the law of celibacy in the Catholic Church be abolished?

Father García-Morato: Of course, celibacy is a discipline, not a dogma of our faith. It is a way of life that grew within the Church since the second century. In its historical context, the link between celibacy and priesthood is not essential. What is essential is the profound congruence between the mystery of Christ and the mystery of the sacramental priesthood. So yes, there is the hypothetical possibility of abolishing celibacy, just as there is for any other ecclesiastical law that does not respond directly to an express mandate of divine law and the faith handed down from the Apostles. However, the conviction of the Church in regard to the correspondence of the priesthood with a celibate priestly ministry is neither pragmatic nor situational, but profoundly based. The Catholic Church continues to trust in God's continuing to distribute the grace that is the gift of celibacy among many young men and in his sending those same graced young men to become the sacred ministers necessary for the life of the Church.

As a doctor, do you think that celibacy is an unnatural "repression" that can result in psychological problems?

Father García-Morato: Celibacy does not impoverish the personality. On the contrary, by being one of the paths to full realization of the person's vocation to love, it enriches him. I have seen this many times, thank God. However, I am aware that there are individuals who wonder if it is not emotionally and mentally healthier to have a spouse and a family rather than to live celibacy.

As I noted earlier, each person is complete in himself and is fulfilled in relation with others. Further, it is not possible for a married person to relate to all persons, or to make use of the innumerable opportunities to relate to one another. The promises made and responsibilities taken up by a married person necessarily limits their relational options with others. Whether a person is celibate or married, each person freely chooses those relationships they consider most appropriate for their personal fulfillment as well as the limits that they will observe for the good of those relationships.

The problem, to my mind, does not reside in living celibately. In life, what is terrible for the inner harmony and mental health of a man or woman does not lie in being celibate or married. The crux of the question lies in having made a free decision and remaining true to that decision as its manifestations affect one's whole existence. In whatever vocational state you find yourself in, problems arise by continuing to envy what one has not chosen, filling oneself with ever greater anxiety. This is what Jesus was talking about when he spoke of the unworthiness of the one who puts their hand to the plow and continues to look back. It is a sign of immaturity, which destroys and plays havoc with any existing commitment and even ends up by making one incapable of future commitments.

We must all learn to make decisions and to understand that, with every decision, we discard many options; and assume it with the view of one who starts on new paths full of surprises. That is why, faced with the fundamental questions of life, decisions must only be made if we are aware and are prepared to have them be decisions that, in fact, draw after them the whole personality.

If a decision is made, and the rest of the personality goes another way, inevitably a high-risk situation is created for mental health and personal harmony, both in celibacy as well as marriage.

Taken from Zenit: Sept 29, 2005

ANSWERS FOR PARENTS

How can I support my son?

First, I would remember that a vocation is the unique and special call from God and that God will always take care of those He calls. And so uniting yourself to God in prayer will bring wisdom and peace.

It is understandable that some parents are not sure whether they can adequately support their son during his seminary training. This is another common anxiety. In many other moments in your son's life you have felt ready to offer sound advice from your own past experiences. However, because a vocation to the priesthood is such a unique call, you may feel unqualified to offer helpful advice. Your son understands this and does not expect you to be all-knowing and ever-present with advice! One helpful question you can ask your son is, "What is the most important thing I can do to assist and support you?" This simple question will mean a great deal to your son. Further, it is a sign of your unconditional love as a parent.

What about the expenses?

Regarding finances, the majority of the expenses associated with your son's education while he is enrolled in seminary will be assumed by the Diocese of Phoenix. If a seminarian is not covered under his parent's health insurance, the Diocese will provide a health insurance plan. Such concerns are taken into consideration for each candidate.

Will I ever see my son again?

Some parents feel as if they are losing their son in a permanent way, or that they will not be able to see or visit their son during his years in the seminary.

If your son's discernment leads him to enter seminary, his departure will be similar to a son leaving home to attend college or to enlist in the military. There will be an inevitable transition period for all parties. If a son enters seminary to study for the priesthood, he is free to make visits home during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and over the summer vacation each year. It is similar to regular college. In fact, throughout his formation in seminary, he will be encouraged to maintain healthy family relationships.

I just don't understand!

It does happen that some parents have expressed remorse about their son's acceptance of a vocation with the sense that they would be happier if they were called to a married vocation over a single-hearted vocation to serve God's people and God's Church. This is a valid concern for parents.

A vocation comes to a young person in the form of a personal call from God; a call that was present from all eternity in the will of God. God is all loving and would only call His son or daughter to a place of joy and fulfillment. Dialogue and inquiry about your son's desires and hopes can be a great help toward understanding. Also, prayer for your son and for yourself is especially important as he discerns God's will.

What about grandchildren?

Some parents are saddened by the fact that they'll be unable to enjoy the presence of grandchildren or a daughter-in-law if their son doesn't get married. Although the presence of grandchildren would offer much happiness, every parent desires first and foremost that their son or daughter live a joyful and fulfilled life. If God is calling your son to serve the Church as a priest, fulfillment, happiness and holiness of life will only be fully realized by him if he faithfully responds to God's call. Further, the Church recognizes with great respect and appreciation this sacrifice of parents. We trust that God will bless you abundantly in other ways for supporting your son through his discernment process.

Will my son be lonely?

Some parents express anxiety over their son's potential loneliness as an unmarried person.

There is a great difference between being alone and being by yourself. A person can be in a room full of people and still feel all alone. In the life of a priest, moments of solitude or being by themselves are required for prayer, reflection, homily preparation, and rest. Many priests experience this "being by themselves" without feeling lonely. Further, in the midst of his ministry, a priest interacts with hundreds of individuals a week, and enjoys many life-giving friendships. Nevertheless, no vocation is immune to loneliness. Therefore, regular contact with family members, especially his parents is always a great joy and blessing for a priest. Further, a priest must always be vigilant in maintaining healthy relationships not only with his family, but with friends, brother priests, sisters and parishioners as well.

Ultimately loneliness is the reality of incompleteness and longing for union and communion. Our ultimate union is with God. For centuries, celibate living has been practiced with joy most especially by those in union with God by way of a profound spiritual life. Ultimately, one who is called to this life will need to foster an intimacy with Christ who we will all unite with in eternity.

What if my son leaves the seminary before being ordained?

Some parents express anxiety about what may happen if their son leaves the seminary before completing its course of studies and formation program. It is possible that your son could spend many years in seminary and discern that a life of single-hearted service in the Church is not the vocation God is calling him to. There is nothing wrong or shameful about withdrawing from the seminary and the diocese's program for priestly formation for this reason. The time any young man spent in formation should never be considered a waste. Your son will have grown in holiness, self-awareness, and in personal maturity through the entire process of discernment and by his time in a formation program. He, his future and the Church are sure to be enriched by the experience.

If my son has flaws, does it mean he should not be in the seminary?

Occasionally parents become concerned that their son is not suited to serve the Church due to certain temperaments or failings. These same concerns are commonly expressed by the very individuals who are in discernment.

The priesthood and religious life requires a high caliber of skills, abilities, and psycho-sexual maturity. However, it is not reserved to "the perfect." If every young man who experienced the first movements in his hearts to serve the Church waited until he felt completely worthy to begin his discernment, we would not have any priests at all! A genuine vocation is not measured by one's feelings of worthiness, but rather by one's desire to respond to God's call to serve the Church as a disciple of Christ.

The academic rigors and spiritual formation programs offered in the seminary are designed to develop a young man's natural skills and abilities and to remedy any weaknesses or deficiencies. This formation takes time and is one of the reasons why it takes so many years to become a priest. Before the discernment process reaches this stage, however, the most supportive action a parent can take is to encourage their son to listen to and be faithful to God's call.

Where did my son's interest in the priesthood originate?

Some parents are taken aback by the news of their son's discernment to serve the Church, especially if they do not consider themselves a very religious family. Some parents are puzzled about the origin of their son's vocational call.

While a child's faith, worship, and vocational plans are often times influenced by family practices and expectations, a vocation to serve the Church is a call from God, the author of all life. This call is always unique and intensely personal. Although your son desires to discern his call with great attention and fidelity, you are not obliged to alter your current religious practices unless you wish to do so. Still, your son will certainly benefit greatly from your support and prayers during his discernment.

Should I be concerned if he didn't tell me first?

Do not to be offended or hurt if your son did not confide in you first, or early on in his discernment. Young people who are in discernment oftentimes keep their thoughts and their process of discernment confidential from the people who mean the most to them until they feel ready to put the experience into words and to speak about it face to face.

Rest assured that your son both needs and desires your support and encouragement. In fact, your support as a parent is most likely valued more than any other figure in your son's life.