Becoming an ordained Catholic priest

[maxmordon]

I was wondering exactly what it was required to become a priest; is there an age limit to apply? Can, for example, a middle-aged non-Catholic man convert to Catholicism and become a priest?

[AnnieColleen]

I'd have to look up the details, but it involves going through the seminary, with classes geared towards the various duties of a priest, and discernment on both parts (the seminarian and the authorities) to make sure he is called to continue with and complete the process. Normally this would be done through a diocese, but it could be done through a particular order as well. Here's (http://www.assumptionseminary.org/) the website for the seminary in my local diocese.

Yes, a convert could go through the seminary and be ordained, if everything else was in order.

[Medievalist]

Yes, you can convert, be confirmed in the church, go to seminary, and then, if approved, take orders.

A number of highly respected priests began life as Protestants; Cardinal Newman is an example of such.

[mrockwell]

My old priest (God rest him) used to tell the story of a 70-year-old man who became a priest. Obviously, that was a special circumstance, but the point is that, while there are steps to take, ordination can be done on a case-by-case basis where some requirements might be waived, etc. That would be at the local Bishop's discretion, of course, or that of an Abbot, in the case of a religious order not under the authority of the local Bishop.

But, generally speaking, the usual route is to go through seminary.

-- Marcy

[Sean D. Schaffer]

I was wondering exactly what it was required to become a priest; is there an age limit to apply? Can, for example, a middle-aged non-Catholic man convert to Catholicism and become a priest?


I'm not Catholic, but I knew a Presbyterian pastor who became a Catholic priest. I'm pretty sure he was middle-aged or even a little beyond that.

I hope this helps you out a bit. Best wishes to you. :)

[maxmordon]

Thank you all to let me know there is no such thing as a window to priesthood... you see... is something I have been thinking about perhaps in the future...

[AnnieColleen]

My current pastor's story sounds like one you might be interested in. He was a businessman in (I believe) Venezuela and had just been offered the chance to study business abroad through a very exclusive program. Then he was invited to sing at a Papal Mass. During the Mass the thought of becoming a priest popped into his head -- like he was being offered a choice. And, well, you can see which one he chose.

That's great that you're thinking about it. :)

[johnnysannie]

Thank you all to let me know there is no such thing as a window to priesthood... you see... is something I have been thinking about perhaps in the future...

One of our former pastors in our parish had formerly been a television news anchor before deciding later in life to go to seminary and become a priest.

[DaddyCat]

Besides the diocesan priests, there are also the various religious orders (Franciscan, Jesuit, Dominican, etc.) who may have their own rules about age limits. I believe there's one of the smaller orders that has no age limit for accepting a candidate for the priesthood, the name escapes me now...

[citymouse]

There is no age limit. However, a very old person may not be required to perform in a pastoral capacity. He may be assigned to hospice duties, prison chaplain or any number of services where his strength would not be over taxed. It really depends on the man and his superiors.

Other requirements are the man must have all his human faculties, mental (he can't be crazy) as well as physical. For example, a priest cannot be a eunuch or cryptorchid. Ain't that a kick in the pants!
C

[JustDave]

On the other hand, if you are a believer, Revelation 1:6 and other passages declare that God has made us "kings and priests" already. A literal Greek translation is "a kingdom of priests." That means, as a believer, you are already a priest.