Need to knows about becoming a priest

The Roman Catholic Church has two types of priests: diocesan priests and religious priests, that is, those who are members of a religious community. (Image: Marek Studzinski on Unsplash)

SOME BOYS like to play priest and pass out “Communion” to their friends. Others grow up without a thought in their heads about becoming a priest. Until they do.

Both paths are valid because there are thousands of ways that people uncover their true self, their deepest identity, their essential vocation. Becoming a priest is a long process, and it begins with what you are doing this moment: considering that possibility for your life. Entire books are devoted to the calling of Catholic priesthood. Here, we will attempt to distill the basics for any man drawn to the vocation who wants a clear notion of what is involved in this way of life.

Make no mistake, the priesthood is an entire lifestyle. The “job” or ministry is crucial, but being a priest actually encompasses all aspects of your person, the same way that being a Catholic brother, deacon, husband, or father is all encompassing. It shapes what you do, who you love, where you live, and how you live.

Two types of priesthood: Diocesan and religious

The Roman Catholic priesthood has two main categories: diocesan priests and priests who belong to a religious community. Diocesan priests are the ones Catholics tend to be most familiar with. By and large—with some exceptions—they run parishes and celebrate the sacraments. Within that realm, they have varied duties and usually have other parish staff to assist them. Almost all priests work with other ministers, both paid and volunteers. Parish priests say Mass, perform Baptisms, listen to Confessions, visit the sick, teach the faith, oversee the parish infrastructure, serve as head parish administrator, and carry out other pastoral duties.

Diocesan priests normally live and work within their home diocese (a given geographical area), and they make promises of celibacy and obedience to the bishop who oversees the diocese. They are committed to a celibate, prayerful life and may live alone or with other priests. Usually they live in a rectory located near the parish church. Shadow a parish priest for a day or two to get an inside look at this life.

Diocesan priests sometimes serve as teachers or administrators of a Catholic nonprofit, but the majority have pastoral duties in a parish as their main work. Parish ministry is not a 9-to-5 job, and it involves a great deal of work on evenings and weekends. Like others in the helping professions, the most content priests tend to consciously prioritize work-life balance. The respite of free time and the priority of personal prayer are essential for priests and other ministers.

Religious order priests belong to a religious community, and their days are determined by the “charism,” or orientation of their community. The community may be dedicated to teaching, healthcare, evangelization, or any number of “active” ministries. Or, if the community is contemplative or monastic (such as Trappists or many Benedictines and Carmelites), then the primary focus is prayer, with the rhythm of the day centered on the Divine Office. The Office is a series of prayers, chants, psalms, and readings spread throughout the day. (See “Monastic life is habit-forming” on VocationNetwork.org for an example of a monastic community.) Monastic and contemplative priests usually have duties beyond the Office, such as income-earning works or, for instance, ministry in a community-run school.

Religious communities come in three basic types:

1. Apostolic (active ministry)

2. Monastic/contemplative/cloistered (life in a monastery with the Divine Office setting the daily pattern)

3. Missionary (focused on outreach to those outside the church)

Many different communities exist within each of these broad categories, and they sometimes seem similar. Keep in mind that back when various religious institutes were being founded, geography and language separated people with similar intentions. In addition, every religious community has its own personality, with distinct traditions and nuances that become clear by spending time with the members.

Vocation ministers can help

A spiritual director, or spiritual mentor, is helpful for guiding your ongoing conversation with God. If you pursue a priestly vocation, a vocation minister will help you understand requirements and expectations and can guide you in the discernment process. A vocation director will want to know about your background, your current life, your education, and your psychological health. Prospective candidates for the priesthood often have both a spiritual director and a vocation director (ideally they should be different people).

How do you find a vocation director? If the diocesan priesthood attracts you, talk to your parish priest or get in touch with your diocesan vocation office (any browser can help you locate your diocesan vocation office). If the lifestyle, support, and camaraderie of communal life attract you, then use VISION Vocation Guide and its resources to find men’s communities in your region and beyond.

Go to VISION vocationnetwork.org and browse the men’s communities directory and also Vocation Match to narrow your search. Note: Communities with the word “brother” in their name usually do not include ordained men. A small percentage of men’s communities are for brothers only; the rest are for priests or are “mixed” with priests and brothers.

If you and a vocation minister agree that you should keep moving forward with priesthood discernment, here is what priest preparation involves. Keep in mind that the order these things happen can vary. In general, it takes about five or six years until ordination after you complete a four-year undergraduate degree, but the number of years between being accepted as a priesthood candidate and being ordained can vary widely depending on your circumstances. In most cases, priesthood preparation involves:

• Four-year undergraduate degree

• Master of Divinity or comparable post-graduate coursework in theology and philosophy at a seminary

• Volunteer ministry

If you join a religious community:

• Study, communal living experience, and formation in the history and tradition of the particular community will be required on top of seminary studies.

• First vows and further temporary vows happen at a pace determined by the community.

• You eventually make final vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience to the superior of the community.

• Ordination to be a transitional deacon may take place.

• Ordination to the priesthood usually comes after final vows, also called solemn vows.

What qualities do you need?

The qualities needed to be a happy, healthy, life-giving priest are not that different from the qualities needed to be a good husband or committed single man. It is important to know yourself, have experience with a variety of positive human relationships, have a track record of service, and—naturally—a deep and abiding relationship to God is foundational. It sounds obvious to say it, but the priesthood should attract you. The priesthood should not simply be what you intellectually consider “the most holy” form of life. Every form of life is holy when it is centered on God. Academic ability is also essential to complete graduate-level coursework. A man must be unmarried, not have dependents, have a track record of living celibately, and be healthy physically, sexually, and psychologically.

As you dig into what this vocation might be like for you personally, it’s key to talk to and spend time with wise people who can help guide you. Prayer, Mass, and the sacraments should be important dimensions of your life as you contemplate a calling that emphasizes these aspects of faith. A vocation director is not meant to pressure you or perform a sales job; rather he or she is expected by the Catholic Church to consider who you are, what your gifts are, and what sort of man is needed in the community or diocese. Are you that man? Can you grow into a healthy, vibrant priest given education, formation, and experience? No magic is involved. The path is not always obvious, but a prayerful, deliberate, compassionate walk through discernment is the only way to learn where your vocation lies. Take the leap of looking closely! 

Related: VocationNetwork.org, “Secrets to being a happy priest.”