The Call to Ordained Priesthood

The whole church is a priestly people. Through baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. All the baptized, then, are entrusted with the building up of God’s people, the church, and the carrying on of some part of Christ’s work. This priesthood is called the “common priesthood of the faithful.”

Out of the common priesthood of the faithful some are called to ordained priesthood.

Ordained priesthood is conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders for the purpose of serving the common priesthood of the faithful in the areas of preaching, sacramental ministry, and parish leadership.

There are basically two ways to serve the church as a priest; either as a diocesan priest or as a religious order priest.

A diocesan priest usually serves his whole life in the boundaries of one particular geographical area, known as a diocese, under the leadership of a local bishop. A diocesan priest does not take the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience or live in religious communities. A diocesan priest usually specializes in parish ministry or other forms of diocesan service.

Religious order priests take vows, serve, live and pray in a community and follow the rule of the order of which they are members. Each religious order was founded for a specific purpose, like teaching, working with the poor, contemplative prayer, and missionary work. While diocesan priests usually work within one diocese, religious order priests may serve in other states or even other countries, wherever their community needs to send them.

What qualities should a priest have?

Priests are, first of all, weak human beings. No one is really worthy of this vocation, but God has always chosen the weak and made them strong in bearing witness to him.

With that said, there are certain qualities the church requires of those who would be candidates for formation as diocesan priests.

Spiritual requirements include an integral faith, an acceptance of the faith as taught by the church and a consistent manner of living it out in Christ; an active prayer life; an abiding love for the sacramental life of the church; and a sincere love of people.

Morally, candidates should possess a good reputation evident in the exercise of proven virtues and a sound prudential judgment.

Intellectually, candidates must have the ability, docility, and openness to comprehend and complete the academic study of philosophy and theology.

In terms of human qualities, candidates should demonstrate an overall personal balance, mature flexibility, and creativity in their approach to life. They also need to possess an ability to relate to others, to establish wholesome friendships, and to deal with intimacy appropriately.

Physically, candidates must possess the good health necessary for priestly formation and ministry.

What about celibacy and obedience?

For many centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has required that all its ordained priests live a celibate lifestyle. Celibacy is the religious practice of devoting the time, love, energy, and attention one would give to a spouse and family over to the service of God’s people. Celibacy makes complete availability for ministerial service possible.

Obedience, like celibacy, frees one for complete availability to perform apostolic service and insures that that service is in unity with the rest of the church under the leadership of the bishop. Obedience makes one a “team player”.

Seminary helps prepare candidates to make their promises of celibacy and obedience through suitable education, spiritual guidance, and prayer.

What are the age limits?

The Diocese of Springfield normally accepts as candidates for seminary young men who are between the ages of 18 and 50. We use various seminaries, some for younger students, and others for older students or second career candidates.

How does one apply?

Before the official application process begins, a possible candidate should begin a period of serious prayer, including regular attendance at Sunday Eucharist; get to know his pastor or a trusted priest friend; get involved in some ministry in his parish; and become known in parish ministry circles.

All these people will be asked to make recommendations as part of the formal application process. A possible candidate should also plan to attend some of the organized Vocation Office programs, make a visit to a seminary, and study the book
Diocesan Priests in the Archdiocese of Louisville. All of the above can be arranged through the Vocation Office. If all goes well in this phase, the official application process to be a seminarian for the diocese and a particular seminary can begin. At the end of the formal application process, the archbisho0p makes the final decision about acceptance.

How do I contact the vocation office?

To obtain a copy of the book or for further information, contact the Director of Vocations:
Fr. Gary Dailey
65 Elliot Street
Springfield, MA 01102

Call (413) 452-0816 or send an e-mail to: g.dailey@diospringfield.org