Do Catholic priests usually attend college before entering seminary school?

Question

Or any information about the presithood formation would be helpful.

Answer 1

Preparation generally requires 8 years of study beyond high school, usually including a college degree followed by 4 or more years of theology study at a seminary.

Preparatory study for the priesthood may begin in the first year of high school, at the college level, or in theological seminaries after college graduation. Nine high-school seminary programs(five free-standing high school seminaries and four programs within Catholic high schools(provided a college preparatory program in 2000. Programs emphasize and support religious formation in addition to a regular, college-preparatory curriculum. Latin may be required, and modern languages are encouraged. In Hispanic communities, knowledge of Spanish is mandatory.

Those who begin training for the priesthood in college do so in one of 42 priesthood formation programs offered either through Catholic colleges or universities or in freestanding college seminaries. Preparatory studies usually include training in philosophy, religious studies, and prayer.

Today, most candidates for the priesthood have a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university, then attend one of 46 theological seminaries (also called theologates) and earn either the Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts degree. Thirty-four theologates primarily train diocesan priests, whereas 12 theologates provide information mostly for priesthood candidates from religious orders. (Slight variations in training reflect the differences in their expected duties.) Theology coursework includes sacred scripture; dogmatic, moral, and pastoral theology; homiletics (art of preaching); church history; liturgy (sacraments); and canon (church) law. Fieldwork experience usually is required.

Young men are never denied entry into seminaries because of lack of funds. In seminaries for diocesan priests, scholarships or loans are available, and contributions of benefactors and the Catholic Church finance those in religious seminaries - who have taken a vow of poverty and are not expected to have personal resources.

Graduate work in theology beyond that required for ordination also is offered at a number of American Catholic universities or at ecclesiastical universities around the world, particularly in Rome. Also, many priests do graduate work in fields unrelated to theology. Priests are encouraged by the Catholic Church to continue their studies, at least informally, after ordination. In recent years, the Church has stressed continuing education for ordained priests in the social sciences, such as sociology and psychology.

A newly ordained diocesan priest usually works as an assistant pastor. Newly ordained priests of religious orders are assigned to the specialized duties for which they have been trained. Depending on the talents, interests, and experience of the individual, many opportunities for additional responsibility exist within the Church.

Answer 2

Some do, some don't.

Contact your diocesan office for vocations. They can answer all your questions and, if you are interested in becoming a priest, help you through your next steps.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

convinced, for sure. my own parish priest become raised Lutheran, switched over to Catholicism as an adult and then went into seminary. A Lutheran baptism is mostly valid; if it wasn't, you'll were baptized upon your conversion.

Answer 4

Most priests now days attend Boy scout meetings instead...

Answer 5

Not necessarily, but it's advisable.