What Are the Prerequisites for Becoming a Catholic Priest?
Holy Orders is a Catholic sacrament that men who are entering the priesthood receive. Before being ordained as a Catholic priest, certain requirements must first be met.
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Types
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There are two types of Catholic priests: diocesan and religious. Diocesan priests serve the needs of a parish community. Religious priests are either Dominican or Franciscan who follow the teachings of their patron saints and who preach and defend the Catholic faith or Jesuits who serve in educational capacities.
Education
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High school seminary programs are available in the United States for those who wish to pursue the priesthood and have made the decision at a young age. Additionally, priesthood formation programs are available at Catholic colleges and universities or at Catholic seminaries. Graduate programs offering master's in divinity or master of arts degrees are options for men entering the priesthood.
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Gender
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Currently, only men can become ordained as Catholic priests. Pope John Paul II stated in an apostolic letter that "that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women."
Marriage and Celibacy Requirements
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Most Catholic priests are required to remain celibate and unmarried, and this is a choice that should be made when attending seminary. However, married men may be eligible to become priests. If the priest becomes widowed; however, he is expected to not remarry. Exceptions are made as in the case of Lutheran or Episcopal Latin-Rite priests who convert to Catholicism.
Dioconate Requirements
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Before becoming ordained as a priest, men are first ordained as a Catholic deacon or minister of the church. Ordained deacons are not required to become priests, however, and can remain in a position of deacon permanently.
Ordination Mass
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A celebratory mass will be held for those men who are becoming ordained as priests. Families of the soon-to-be ordained may attend the mass and generally high church officials such as a bishop will officiate over the mass.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of brandi sims
