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JOURNEY TO PRIESTHOOD
"WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A PRIEST?"
"WHAT DOES IT TAKE?"
"HOW DO I KNOW IF GOD IS CALLING ME?"
"WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PRIEST?"
If you find yourself asking questions like these, perhaps God
is calling you to COME FOLLOW in His Son's footsteps. Your consideration
of becoming a Priest is important and very personal. For this
reason, we, the Bishop and Priests of the Diocese of Las Vegas,
want to support you in your search. It is our hope that this
pamphlet will help you as you discern your vocation. You are
an important gift to us.
Discernment - Prayer - Sharing
Not everyone who thinks about becoming a priest actually does!
There is a period of time called DISCERNMENT during which each
person comes to see if God is truly calling him to be a Priest.
The important element during this time is openness in prayer
with God and in conversation with those assisting you.
The first step we suggest is to simply talk with your parish
priest or any other priest with whom you can be comfortable and
open. This priest may also become your Spiritual Director, and
as such, be able to assist you in your decision. It will be through
him that you will make contact with the Vocation Director. Having
such priests at your disposal will enable you to have your questions
and concerns answered in a very personal way.
As you continue to discern, you may find yourself meeting more
and more with the Vocation Director. When your decision enters
into its final stages, you will be asked to join a discernment
group. This group usually meets once a month in an informal setting
for prayer, reflection, questions and answers. In such a group,
you will share your calling with others who are responding similarly.
On occasion, the Bishop will meet with this group for an informal
meeting. If all continues to progress positively, the Vocation
Director will begin the formal application process with you.
Formal Application to the Diocese
When the time arrives for you
to make a formal application to the Diocese, the Vocation Director
will assist you in your personal meeting with the Bishop. Once
the Bishop accepts you as a candidate for the seminary, you will
begin to complete all the necessary forms and psychological evaluations
that are required by the Diocese and Seminary. When all preparations
have been completed, your application will be sent to the Seminary
for processing. As part of this processing, you will be interviewed
by the Seminary. Once accepted by the Seminary, the Bishop will
welcome you as a seminarian for the Diocese.
Seminary Studies
The Bishop chooses the seminary for his seminarians.
The Diocese of Las Vegas normally sends its college seminarians
to Mt. Angel Seminary inSt. Benedict, Oregon. Seminarians in Theology are sent to St. Patrick's
Seminary or St. John Seminary in Carmarillo, California. College graduates with little
or no philosophy studies will partake in a pre-Theology program
at the seminary. This special program helps prepare seminarians
for their formal theological studies.
Seminarian Policy and Finances
The Bishop of Las Vegas has a Seminarian Policy and Financial
Plan for its seminarians. This Policy states that all College seminarians
studying for the Diocese are financially responsible for one-third
of their college education expenses. It is for this reason that
college seminarians are asked to seek summer employment so as to
earn money to help with their tuition and for personal spending
money.
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