Steps to being a Priest (with NO college degree)

CJtheCatholic · Jan 17, 2010

From time to time I have wondered about steps to becoming a priest in the Church (something I have considered at times myself for my life; depends on what God wants me to do!). But let's say there is a young Catholic man that has never been to college before. If they desired to be a priest, would they have to go to college first or can they go to a seminary for 8 + years until they earn their Masters, or do they need that college background FIRST and THEN attend a seminary for 3-4 years for their Masters? Just something I've been wondering.

Eucharisted · Jan 17, 2010

I've been told a college decree is necessary.

Cardinal John H. Newman · Jan 17, 2010

Eucharisted said:
I've been told a college decree is necessary.

same here.....

Gwendolyn · Jan 17, 2010

If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you are in the seminary for eight years - three years of a philosophy BA, and five years of your M.Div. Oftentimes, even if men enter the seminary with a BA in something other than philosophy or theology, they will still have to be there the full eight years because a background in philosophy is vital.

Generally seminaries offer a BA and an M.Div, so you wouldn't have to go to some other place to earn a philosophy BA.

AMDG · Jan 17, 2010

I've heard that with the Jesuits for instance, it can be eleven years of education.

Sphinx777 · Jan 17, 2010

The Canon law of the Catholic Church holds that the priesthood is a sacred and perpetual vocational state, not just a profession, and regulates the formation and studies of clerics. In the Latin rite, this legislation is found in canons 232264. As a general rule, education is extensive and lasts at least five or six years, depending on the national Programme of Priestly Formation.

* Most frequently in the United States, priests must have a four-year university degree (which is usually in philosophy) plus an additional four to five years of graduate-level seminary formation in theology.

* In Scotland, there is a mandatory year of preparation before entering seminary for a year dedicated to spiritual formation, followed by several years of study.

* In Europe, Australasia and North America, seminarians usually graduate with a Master of Divinity or a Master of Theology degree, which is a four-year professional degree (as opposed to a Master of Arts which is an academic degree). At least four years are to be in theological studies at the major seminary.

* In Africa, Asia and South America, programmes are more flexible, being developed according to the age and academic abilities of those preparing for ordination.

Regardless of where a person prepares for ordination, it includes not only academics but also human, social, spiritual and pastoral formation. The purpose of seminary education is ultimately to prepare men to be pastors of souls. In the end, however, each individual bishop is responsible for the official call to priesthood, and only they may ordain. Any ordinations done before the normally scheduled time (before study completion) must have the explicit approval of the bishop; any such ordinations done more than a year in advance must have the approval of the Holy See.

Priesthood (Catholic Church)

twins15 · Jan 17, 2010

Yep, they have to have a college degree I believe, but they wouldn't have to go to another school to get it. You can go to minor seminary for the first 4 years (roughly), and then on to major seminary (provided that both you and the diocese feels that's what you are called to)... for example, I know plenty of people that entered the seminary out of high school, when obviously they did not have a college degree at that point.

G-Com · Jan 18, 2010

How much does a seminary cost?

twins15 · Jan 18, 2010

Assuming you get in to the seminary (I have also heard of people who applied but did not make it in because it was felt that they were not called to be in), I don't believe it will cost anything for the person entering.

Mea Culpa · Jan 18, 2010

Out of curiosity, why is philosophy such an important degree for a priest to have? Why not something else?
Speaking from a purely outsider point of view, and forgive me for that, but it sounds very ancient Greek like!!
I thought it would have to be something practical, something that was more directly tied to people like sociology for example.
I had looked at becoming a priest many a moon ago, but I never got as far as knowing that I needed a degree in philosophy.

Sphinx777 · Jan 18, 2010

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning subjects such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

There are at least two senses in which the term philosophy is used. In the more formal sense, philosophy is an academic discipline focusing on the fields of metaphysics, logic, ethics, epistemology, and aesthetics. In the more informal sense, a philosophy is an attitude to life or way or principle of living whose focus is on resolving the most basic existential questions about the human condition. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing fundamental questions (such as mysticism or mythology) or the arts by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned argument. Philosophy comes from the Greek φιλοσοφία [philosophia], which translates to "love of wisdom".

Fantine · Jan 18, 2010

If you entered the program right after high school, the diocese would pay for your education instead of your parents or yourself (via student loans.)

And you would have the opportunity to attend a private Catholic college rather than a state or public university (I read once that 80% of college students attend public universities, probably because of the cost.)

I know that people who enter religious orders need to pay off all their debts before becoming a religious sister or brother. If that would be true for a diocesan seminary, too, then graduating from college on your own with huge student loans might actually interfere with your being accepted into the seminary.

Athanasias · Jan 18, 2010

Gwendolyn said:
If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you are in the seminary for eight years - three years of a philosophy BA, and five years of your M.Div. Oftentimes, even if men enter the seminary with a BA in something other than philosophy or theology, they will still have to be there the full eight years because a background in philosophy is vital.

Generally seminaries offer a BA and an M.Div, so you wouldn't have to go to some other place to earn a philosophy BA.

Amen! Absolutely correct!

Athanasias · Jan 18, 2010

Mea Culpa said:
Out of curiosity, why is philosophy such an important degree for a priest to have? Why not something else?
Speaking from a purely outsider point of view, and forgive me for that, but it sounds very ancient Greek like!!
I thought it would have to be something practical, something that was more directly tied to people like sociology for example.
I had looked at becoming a priest many a moon ago, but I never got as far as knowing that I needed a degree in philosophy.

Philosophy is a extremely practical thing as it is the study and love of truth and realities. It helps with critical thinking. Christ is the truth so one who is steeped in solid philosophy has a deeper understanding of that especially if they take philosophy for theology classes.. It teaches you how to recognize truths and utilize your mind. St Augustine and St. Thomas are invaluable with their insights in theology that they their philosophy and prayer helped them with.

lionroar0 · Jan 18, 2010

Philosophy is the backbone of theology.

Eucharisted · Jan 18, 2010

lionroar0 said:
Philosophy is the backbone of theology.

Yep! Even the Church Fathers agree

JimR-OCDS · Jan 18, 2010

There may be exceptions to having a college degree among monastics. Some monks go on to become priest, and I'm not sure a degree is a mandate, but of those I know of, all did in fact have degree's. One had a Phd in Theology. Generally, they're highly intellectual.

Jim

Glorthac · Jan 18, 2010

JimR-OCDS said:
There may be exceptions to having a college degree among monastics. Some monks go on to become priest, and I'm not sure a degree is a mandate, but of those I know of, all did in fact have degree's. One had a Phd in Theology. Generally, they're highly intellectual.

Jim

That's a good question, do monks need college degrees?

Gwendolyn · Jan 18, 2010

Glorthac said:
That's a good question, do monks need college degrees?

No.

Unless they want to enter the priesthood - then they would receive supplementary education/training.

JimR-OCDS · Jan 18, 2010

Gwendolyn said:
No.

Unless they want to enter the priesthood - then they would receive supplementary education/training.

Yeah, to be a monk doesn't require a college education, but after it is perhaps true that if a monk desires to go on to become a priest, he must have a college degree.

Like I said earlier, the monks I know who went on to become priest, had college educations with post grad degrees.

Jim

Steps to being a Priest (with NO college degree)

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