I have a dilemna. I am a 34 year old man who has spent 15 years of my life in prison. I am Catholic, but my memory of Catholic religious observence is very slim. I have tattoos all over me and I have been living in transitional facilities since getting out of prison. I am unemployed, having had alot of difficulty obtaining steady employment and have been forced to work in labor halls. After much consideration, I have decided that I want to become a priest and give back to society and the Church, but with my situation and background, I'm not even sure this is possible, and if it is, I wouldn't know where to start. Can anyone halp me?
2007-05-31 12:15:02 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Contact your diocese's office for vocations. They will answer all your questions.
You also might want to consider becoming a religious brother.
One example is the group started by Mother Teresa of Calcutta called the Missionaries of Charity and has both religious brothers and sisters: http://www.motherteresa.org/layout.html
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-05-31 18:02:53 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) Go to Mass every Sunday for the next year. No excuses. Be in Church. Don't even consider taking any further steps toward Holy Orders until that year is up. Be faithful in your giving. See if the Priest at your parish needs any help at the altar. Serve as an Acolyte if you can.
2) Talk to a Priest and take one on as your Father Confessor. Make your Sacramental Confession at least every 30 days.
3) Find out what steps need to be taken in your Diocese in order to become a Deacon. The Diaconate is the first step toward Priesthood.
4) You're not too old to go to Seminary. I was 38 when I went back. It took me four hard years of study and prayer and prayer and study. Don't be surprised if the Diocese insists on a Seminary education. Scholarships are available, if you truly think you have a vocation.
5) But that first step...being in the pew and going to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation for a year...this is crucial. If you can't do that for a year - you have NO chance of ever even considering the Priesthood. Priesthood is servant-hood. You are never your own again...you belong to Christ.
Good luck and God bless you.
2007-05-31 12:29:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Start with your Diocesan Vocations Director.
Believe me- if you call the Diocese and tell them you are discerning a vocation, they'll get you in touch with the right guy!
Read the story of Fr. John Corrapi....he had a pretty sordid life before he became a priest. You can get the tape for free at catholicity.com
If you have a college degree, you'll need 2 years of philosophy plus 4 years of seminary before ordination. Catholic priests are the best educated ministers around!
2007-05-31 17:32:40 · answer #3 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try contacting St Joseph Parish in Wisconsin can you play the organ? just kidding
Seriously check out this website:
http://www.cathdal.org/Vocation%20Office%20Web/FAQBecomingPriest.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
About Becoming a Priest
Catholic Diocese of Dallas
2007-05-31 12:23:29 · answer #4 · answered by ! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would actually have to have a recommendation from a priest who is in good standing with the church. The best thing you could do is to develop a relationship with your local priest and let him know what you want so that he can help you prepare. Having tattoos or a criminal record shouldn't disqualify you.
I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!
2007-05-31 12:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Satan♥Lord♥of♥Flames♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you ought to look into it, regardless of the undeniable fact that it is no longer some thing to take gently because it takes years of discernment. as far as no longer having a female chum, maximum dioceses and/or orders, in line with what you may look into, will turn you down or ask you to attend in case you haven't any longer have been given any dating journey. it is significant to establish the two vocations; the probabilities of married existence or of celibacy. This relational ingredient is rather significant for transforming into a clergyman as they ought to have journey in understanding a thank you to love and easily be relational on an intimate point, as a large element of the ministry of the priesthood is being there for others. And, merely through fact somebody is transforming into a clergyman does not recommend the sexual attraction dissappears and if that individual does not have journey in dealing with those thoughts it is going to basically exchange into extra complicated interior of celibacy. as far as activities is going, i be attentive to many clergymen who're very athletic. some play entertainment soccer and different run marathons. in case you do finally exchange right into a clergyman there will be an outlet on your athletic skills.
2016-11-03 06:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by rulon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt this would be possible. You should go to a Church and find out the requests and I know it is not an easy task. You'd have to go thru a lot of testing to find out it this is your vocation.
I do not know about those tatoos.
2007-05-31 13:06:13 · answer #7 · answered by yuvia_kae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally they like to see a 4 year college degree and then Seminary school.
You can apprentice your way in through some of it.
2007-05-31 12:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
try, the tats shouldn't be a problem and if you didn't murder someone that shouldn't be a problem (if you did there is still a way but it is a long procedure involving Rome). Contact you diocese's vocation office
2007-05-31 12:21:04 · answer #9 · answered by Sulfol1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a local priest and see what they have to say to guide you. Fr. Corapi from EWTN came from a rough background and became one... maybe you can too.
_()_
2007-05-31 12:19:41 · answer #10 · answered by vinslave 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋