How to Become a Priest: The Journey from Calling to Collar

The path to priesthood isn't something you stumble upon while browsing career websites at 2 AM. It's more like a persistent whisper that gradually becomes impossible to ignore—trust me, I've watched enough friends wrestle with this calling to know it rarely arrives with trumpets and clarity.

Most people imagine becoming a priest involves some dramatic Damascus road moment. Sometimes it does. More often, though, it's a gradual recognition that unfolds over years, punctuated by moments of doubt, certainty, and everything in between. I remember sitting with Father Michael, my childhood parish priest, as he described his own journey: "I fought it for years," he said, chuckling into his coffee. "Thought God had the wrong number."

The Initial Stirrings

Before you even think about seminary applications or canonical requirements, there's usually a period of what I call "holy restlessness." You might find yourself lingering after Mass, drawn to deeper prayer, or feeling inexplicably moved during the Eucharist. Some men describe it as a persistent sense that they're meant for something more—not better than others, but different.

This discernment phase can last months or years. During this time, many prospective priests find themselves naturally gravitating toward service roles in their parishes. They become lectors, join the choir, help with youth ministry. It's almost like trying on different aspects of religious life to see what fits.

The Catholic Church, which I'll focus on primarily here (though I'll touch on other denominations), has developed a remarkably sophisticated understanding of vocational discernment over two millennia. They know that not every pious young man who feels drawn to the altar is meant to stand behind it.

Finding a Spiritual Director

Here's something they don't tell you in those glossy vocation pamphlets: you need someone who can call you on your nonsense. A spiritual director serves as part counselor, part coach, and part reality check. They're usually priests themselves, though not always, and their job is to help you distinguish between a genuine calling and, well, other motivations.

I've seen men pursue priesthood because they were running from something—a failed relationship, family expectations, even their own sexuality. A good spiritual director will gently but firmly help you examine these motivations. Father James, who runs vocational discernment groups in Boston, once told me, "The priesthood isn't a hiding place. It's a greenhouse where everything about you becomes magnified."

The process of finding a spiritual director can feel daunting. Start with your parish priest, even if you don't think he's the right fit long-term. Most dioceses also have vocation directors whose entire job revolves around helping men discern. Don't be surprised if they seem more interested in talking you out of it than into it—that's actually a good sign.

Educational Prerequisites

Now, let's talk brass tacks. The educational requirements for priesthood vary significantly between denominations and even between dioceses within the Catholic Church. But there are some constants.

First, you need a bachelor's degree. Period. Gone are the days when a devout farm boy could enter seminary straight from high school. The modern priest needs to engage with an increasingly educated laity, and the Church knows it. Your undergraduate major doesn't matter much—I've known priests who studied everything from engineering to English literature. What matters is that you've developed critical thinking skills and cultural literacy.

The philosophy requirement often catches people off guard. Catholic seminarians typically need 30 credit hours of philosophy before starting theological studies. This isn't arbitrary academic hazing. Philosophy provides the intellectual framework for understanding theology. You can't really grasp transubstantiation without understanding Aristotelian metaphysics, as medieval as that sounds.

Some men complete these philosophy requirements during their undergraduate years. Others do a pre-theology program, which is basically a post-baccalaureate year or two focused on philosophy and catching up on any gaps in your education. If your Latin is rusty (or non-existent), this is when you'll start working on it.

Seminary: The Long Formation

Seminary isn't graduate school with prayers. It's a total formation process that reshapes not just what you know but who you are. The typical path takes six to eight years, divided between philosophy studies (if not completed earlier) and theology.

Major seminaries—and yes, that's really what they're called—operate on a formation model that addresses four dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. The human formation aspect sometimes surprises people. You'll have regular meetings with a formation advisor who helps you develop emotional maturity, relationship skills, and self-awareness. The Church learned the hard way what happens when you ordain men who haven't done their personal work.

The daily schedule at seminary can feel monastic. Morning prayer at 6:30, Mass at 7:00, classes from 8:00 to noon. Afternoons might include more classes, pastoral work, or study time. Evening prayer, dinner in common, and recreation. Lights out by 10:30 or 11:00. Rinse and repeat, five days a week.

Weekends offer slightly more flexibility, but you're still expected to maintain your prayer life and complete assignments. Many seminarians serve at parishes on Sundays, getting practical experience while helping with the priest shortage.

The academic rigor varies by institution, but don't expect a cakewalk. You'll study systematic theology, moral theology, Church history, canon law, liturgy, homiletics (preaching), and pastoral counseling. The better seminaries also include courses on administration and finance—modern priests need to know how to read a balance sheet.

The Practical Steps

Let me break down the actual application process, which tends to mystify people. First, you need to contact your diocesan vocation director. This isn't like applying to graduate school where you can shotgun applications to multiple programs. You apply to a specific diocese or religious order.

The application itself is extensive. Think background check on steroids. You'll need:

• Academic transcripts
• Sacramental records (baptism, confirmation, etc.)
• Multiple recommendation letters
• A comprehensive medical exam
• Psychological evaluation
• Financial disclosure

That psychological evaluation deserves special mention. It's thorough—usually involving multiple interviews, standardized tests, and personality assessments. The Church is screening for serious mental illness, yes, but also for the emotional maturity and stability required for celibate life and pastoral ministry.

The interview process typically involves multiple meetings with the vocation director, the vocation board, and eventually the bishop himself. They're not just evaluating your piety or theological knowledge. They want to know: Can this man live a healthy, celibate life? Can he work collaboratively? Can he handle the isolation that sometimes comes with priesthood?

The Celibacy Question

We might as well address the elephant in the room. Celibacy remains the most challenging aspect of priesthood for many men. It's not just about not having sex—it's about channeling your capacity for intimacy in different directions.

Successful celibates don't white-knuckle their way through life. They develop deep friendships, maintain close family relationships, and find appropriate ways to express affection and receive love. The seminary years are crucial for developing these skills. You learn to recognize your needs for intimacy and find healthy ways to meet them.

Some men discover they're not called to celibacy during seminary. That's not failure—it's successful discernment. Better to realize this before ordination than after. The formation process is designed to help you make this discovery in a supportive environment.

Different Paths, Different Priesthoods

The diocesan versus religious order decision represents one of the biggest choices in your vocational journey. Diocesan priests (sometimes called secular priests) serve in a specific geographic area under a bishop. They typically run parishes, teach in schools, or work in other diocesan ministries. They take promises of celibacy and obedience but not poverty—they can own property and maintain personal bank accounts.

Religious order priests (Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, etc.) take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They live in community and often have specialized ministries—education, healthcare, social justice work. The formation process for religious orders includes a novitiate year focused on community life and the order's particular charism.

Eastern Catholic Churches and Orthodox Churches have married priests, which opens different possibilities and challenges. Anglican/Episcopal Churches also allow married clergy, as do most Protestant denominations. Each tradition has its own formation process, though many share common elements.

The Ordination Track

As you progress through seminary, you'll receive minor orders or ministries—lector, acolyte—that gradually introduce you to liturgical functions. The major orders come later: diaconate (usually a year before priesthood) and then priesthood itself.

The diaconate year serves as a kind of dress rehearsal. You can preach, witness marriages, perform baptisms, but you can't celebrate Mass or hear confessions. It's a liminal space that lets you experience some aspects of ordained ministry while still discerning your final commitment.

Ordination to the priesthood typically happens in late spring or early summer. The ceremony itself is ancient and moving—the litany of saints, the laying on of hands, the prayer of consecration. Your hands are anointed with sacred chrism. You're vested in priestly garments for the first time. Then you concelebrate your first Mass with the bishop and other priests.

The Reality Check

Here's what they don't always tell you in vocation literature: priesthood can be lonely. You'll move every few years. You'll bury parishioners you've grown to love. You'll sit with families in their darkest moments. You'll celebrate the sacraments when you don't feel particularly holy yourself.

The priest shortage means you might find yourself responsible for multiple parishes. You'll need to be CEO, counselor, teacher, and spiritual father—sometimes all in the same day. The administrative burden can be crushing. I know priests who spend more time in finance committee meetings than in spiritual direction.

Yet most priests I know wouldn't trade it for anything. There's something profound about being present at the pivotal moments of people's lives—baptisms, weddings, anointings, funerals. The privilege of celebrating the Eucharist, of speaking words of absolution, of breaking open the Word for your community—these things sustain priests through the challenges.

Financial Realities

Let's talk money, because bills don't pay themselves, even for priests. Diocesan priests receive a salary—modest but livable. The average ranges from $25,000 to $45,000 annually, plus benefits. Housing is typically provided (a rectory or apartment), along with health insurance and a car allowance.

Religious order priests take a vow of poverty, so their relationship with money is different. The community provides for all needs, but you won't have personal wealth. Any money you earn through writing, speaking, or other work goes to the community.

Retirement planning has become a serious issue as priests live longer. Most dioceses have pension plans, but they're often underfunded. The days of elderly priests being cared for in rectories by housekeepers and younger priests are largely gone.

Alternative Paths

Not everyone follows the traditional seminary route. Late vocations—men who enter seminary after careers in other fields—bring valuable life experience. Some dioceses have special programs for these second-career seminarians.

Permanent deacons represent another form of ordained ministry. These men, who can be married, serve the Church while maintaining secular careers. The formation process is typically four to five years of part-time study.

Some men discern a call to priesthood but not to celibacy. They might explore Eastern Catholic Churches, Orthodox Christianity, or Anglican ordinariate (a structure within the Catholic Church for former Anglican priests).

The Ongoing Formation

Ordination isn't the end of formation—it's the beginning of a lifetime of learning and growth. Most dioceses require ongoing education for priests. You might pursue advanced degrees, attend workshops, or participate in sabbatical programs.

The first years of priesthood can be particularly challenging. You're learning the practical aspects of running a parish while developing your pastoral style. Many dioceses assign newly ordained priests to work with experienced pastors for several years before giving them their own parishes.

Making the Decision

So how do you know if you're called to priesthood? There's no foolproof test, no burning bush moment for most people. But there are signs: a persistent attraction to priestly ministry, a desire to serve God's people, an ability to live celibately, intellectual capacity for the studies, emotional maturity for the demands.

The discernment process itself becomes part of the answer. If you can't imagine spending years in formation, you probably aren't called to priesthood. If the daily routine of prayer and study appeals to you, that's a positive sign. If you find joy in serving others, especially in spiritual matters, pay attention to that.

Remember, saying yes to priesthood means saying no to other good things—marriage, biological children, certain types of career advancement, geographic stability. These aren't small sacrifices. But for those truly called, they're sacrifices gladly made for something greater.

The Church needs priests—that's undeniable. But it needs the right priests, men genuinely called and properly formed. If you're feeling that persistent tug toward priesthood, don't ignore it. But don't rush either. Take time to pray, seek guidance, and honestly examine your motivations.

Start where you are. Deepen your prayer life. Get involved in your parish. Find a spiritual director. Read about priesthood—not just vocation pamphlets but honest accounts from priests about their lives. Spend time with priests, seeing both the joys and challenges of their ministry.

The path to priesthood isn't easy. It shouldn't be. The Church is entrusting you with sacred responsibilities—the care of souls, the celebration of sacraments, the preaching of the Gospel. These require a man who has been tested, formed, and found ready.

If you're called, though, nothing else will satisfy. As one elderly priest told me shortly before his death, "I've had 60 years of Sundays, and I'm not tired yet." That's the paradox of priesthood—it demands everything and gives back even more.

The collar isn't a costume or a career move. It's a sign of radical commitment to God and God's people. If that commitment is stirring in your heart, perhaps it's time to take the next step. The Church—and the world—needs priests who are fully alive, deeply committed, and genuinely called. Maybe that's you. Only one way to find out.

Authoritative Sources:

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. "Frequently Requested Church Statistics." Georgetown University, 2023.

Committee on Priestly Formation, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Program of Priestly Formation. 6th ed., United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2022.

Congregation for the Clergy. The Gift of the Priestly Vocation: Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2016.

Cozzens, Donald. The Changing Face of the Priesthood. Liturgical Press, 2000.

Hoge, Dean R., and Jacqueline E. Wenger. Evolving Visions of the Priesthood: Changes from Vatican II to the Turn of the New Century. Liturgical Press, 2003.

McGlone, Gerard J., Fernando A. Ortiz, and Len Sperry. Seminary Formation: Recent History, Current Circumstances, New Directions. Liturgical Press, 2020.

Rossetti, Stephen J. Why Priests Are Happy: A Study of the Psychological and Spiritual Health of Priests. Ave Maria Press, 2011.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Vocations and Priestly Formation." USCCB.org, 2023.