Vocations
STeps to become a PRIEST FOR THE DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON
1: ASSESSMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE: |
1. Faith in, and love for Christ and His Church. 2. Good moral character. 3. A high school diploma with favorable academic abilities. 4. Emotional balance and maturity. 5. Good physical health. 6. Psychological readiness and capacity to pursue a sustaining, life-long commitment. 7. A deepening habit of prayer and a balanced devotional life. 8. Maturity to recognize and the willingness to respond to the needs of others. 9. Readiness to serve in the manner to which he is called by God, through his Bishop. 10. A developing spirit of detachment that helps him be in the world but not of the world. 11. Freedom to enter this state in life. 12. Be between the ages of 17-55. (Rare exceptions are considered on a case by case basis regarding this upper age limit.) 13. Does not have personal financial liability, i.e. car or personal loans, credit card(s), etc. verses personal assets that exceeds $3,000; nor have total outstanding college student loan debt that exceeds $40,000. 14. Have some familiarity with the Diocese of Arlington and the people with whom the candidate feels called to serve here as a future priest, i.e. by living (past or present), working or studying within the diocese. (On a case by case basis, consideration will be given to those who do not meet this criterion only after they have seriously considered the possibility of serving in their home diocese with the consultation of their home Bishop and/or Vocation Director.) 15. Not suffer from a disordered sexual orientation, i.e. not consider oneself to be homosexual. 16. If the candidate has previously been dismissed from another priestly formation program or from an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, he must wait at least two years prior to being considered for the priestly formation program in the Diocese of Arlington. 17. If the candidate is a recent convert to the faith or has recently returned to the regular practice of the faith, he must wait at least two years prior to acceptance into the priestly formation program in the Diocese of Arlington Criteria for Non-U.S. Citizens or Non-Permanent ResidentsIf a candidate is not currently either a citizen or permanent resident of the United States he must also meet the following: 1. Live on a self-sustaining basis within the Diocese of Arlington for at least two years prior to entering the seminary. 2. Have legal status or lawful presence here in the United States prior to beginning the application process. 3. Be able to obtain an F-1 Student Visa or, if circumstances warrant, an R-1 Religious Worker Visa upon acceptance. 4. Have a command of the English language acceptable to the seminary formation program. 5. Avail himself, on an as needed basis and at the discretion of the Bishop/Director of the Office of Vocations, of some form of ‘U.S. Cultural Adaptation Program’ which could range from seminars or coursework at the seminary to a pastoral year assignment within the diocese. Criteria for those who are divorced and who have recieved a canonical decree of nullityWhile applicants for the priesthood whose marriages have been annulled may have the canonical freedom to pursue the priesthood, the presumption normally is against acceptance. For such men, an opportunity to apply for seminary formation will only be considered if the following additional criteria are met: 1. The marriage ceremony did not take place within the Diocese of Arlington. 2. The candidate has never resided with his former spouse in the Diocese of Arlington. 3. The former spouse does not presently live, nor intends to live in the Diocese of Arlington. 4. All children, from the marriage, are at least 21 years old and are not financially dependent upon their father. 5. The gentleman has settled and concluded all financial obligations pertaining to the marriage. 6. Documents regarding the civil divorce and tribunal decrees are properly released, or at least be made available, to the Office of Vocations for a thorough review.
Back to topSTEP 1: ASSESSMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESSGuided by our overall diocesan goal to nurture and develop holy and well formed priests, great care is taken to insure a careful and thorough assessment and application process for all potential seminarian candidates. This assessment and application process or sequence of events generally encompass the following: Initial Contact
Formal InterviewOnce contact is established, a formal interview follows between the Director of the Office of Vocations and the potential candidate in which the following topics are discussed.
Application ProcessAcceptance into the diocesan priesthood formation program requires that a candidate demonstrate emotional maturity, academic ability, personal stability and consistent growth in the practice of the faith. If, after the formal interview, the director believes the individual possesses suitable psychological, intellectual and spiritual attributes, the candidate is then invited to begin the formal application process. The general components of the application encompasses the following:
Application ReviewAfter the candidate submits all the information and necessary paperwork as outlined above, the Director of the Office of Vocations, after careful review and consultation with the Bishop’s delegate for Clergy, determines if the process should continue. If his decision is favorable, he then recommends the candidate to the Bishop and discusses with the Bishop a possible seminary placement. Acceptance/Non-AcceptanceThe Bishop reviews the applicant’s file, the Director of the Office of Vocations notifies the applicant of the Bishop’s initial decision of acceptance or non-acceptance. Final acceptance by the Bishop is contingent upon the seminary’s acceptance. If the Bishop grants initial acceptance, the director also informs the applicant of the particular seminary where he is being considered to begin his formation. At this time, the applicant’s Diocese of Arlington application material is forwarded, by the Office of Vocations, to the seminary. After review, the seminary will write the candidate directly informing him of their decision of acceptance or non-acceptance. From time to time the seminary may contact the candidate to request additional information. MiscellaneousIndividual circumstances may adjust or vary the sequence of events outlined above. The general necessary time frame to compile and complete all required application material is between two to four months. Applicants normally receive word of acceptance or non-acceptance within two months of submitting a completed application, but generally no later than the first week of July. The application process is intended to encourage the candidate to realize that his vocation does not simply enjoy a personal dimension but rather flows from the Church and toward ministry within the Church. If accepted, another point of importance is the realization of the candidate's new status in the local Church of Arlington. Through personal friendships established with the Bishop, pastors, other priests, Office of Vocation personnel and fellow seminarians, the new seminarian will experience more fully the knowledge that he has a specific identity as a candidate for the priesthood for the Diocese of Arlington. |
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STEP 2: SEMINARY FORMATION PROGRAMS (Four Areas of Formation)
In view of the confidence extended to the seminaries where its seminarians are matriculating, the Diocese of Arlington entrusts a significant part of the priestly formation of its men to the formation programs presently utilized by these seminaries.
A candidate for seminary formation need not be absolutely positive that he is called to the priesthood, but he should give serious thought to his decision to enter a seminary by seeking information and advice. He should avail himself of the guidance of competent people, evaluate himself and his motivations, and above all, pray to the Lord for light, courage and strength to discern and follow the vocation that he is being called to embrace.
- For those without an undergraduate bachelor degree, studies for the priesthood ordinarily include up to four years of college, a possible spirituality year and four post-graduate years in a Masters of Divinity (Theology) Program.
- For those who have already earned an undergraduate bachelor degree, studies for the priesthood include one or two years of pre-theology, a possible spirituality year and four post-graduate years in a Masters of Divinity (Theology) Program.
A candidate accepted by the diocese will, during the course of his formation, attend the following institution(s) (i.e., college seminary, spirituality center, or theology seminary) as designated by the Bishop. (See Other Links: Seminaries)
College Level
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary |
Pontifical College Josephinum Columbus, Ohio |
College Level
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
Pontifical College Josephinum
Columbus, Ohio
Pre-Theology Level
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
Mount Saint Mary's Seminary
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Spirituality Year
Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary
Denver, Colorado
Theology Level
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
Mount Saint Mary's Seminary
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Pontifical North American College
Vatican City State, Europe
Blessed John XXIII National Seminary
Weston, Massachusetts
Four Areas of Formation
Human • Spiritual • Intellectual • Pastoral
Formation, as the Church understands it, is not equivalent to a secular sense of schooling or, even less, job training. Formation is first and foremost cooperation with the grace of God. In the United States Bishops’ document The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, a reflection on Saint Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 3:17-18 leads to a description of formation. ‘The apostle Paul marvels at the work of the Holy Spirit who transforms believers into the very image of Jesus Christ, who himself is the image of God. This grace of the new covenant embraces all who have joined themselves to Jesus Christ in faith and baptism. Indeed, it is sheer grace, all God’s doing. Moved by that grace, however, we make ourselves available to God’s work of transformation. And that making ready a place for the Lord to dwell in us and transform us we call formation."
The seminary and its programs foster the formation of future priests by attending specifically to their human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation—the four pillars of priestly formation developed in (Pope John Paul II’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation) Pastores Dabo Vobis (I will Give You Shepherds). These pillars of formation and their finality give specificity to formation in seminaries as well as a sense of the integrated wholeness of the different dimensions of formation
The sections which follow on human, spiritual, Intellectual, and pastoral formation are to be read in this unified and integrated sense. These are neither discrete nor layered dimensions of priestly existence, but they are nter-related aspects of a human response to God’s transforming grace.
(Copyright USCCB Program of Priestly Formation (5th Edition-6th Working Draft)
Parish and Summer Assignments
The Eucharist is at the center of Christian spiritual formation and during parish/summer assignments, Mass should continue to receive primary emphasis in the life of the seminarian.
Seminarians maintain their seminary spiritual directors while away from the seminary. However, they should feel free to receive the Sacrament of Penance from any number of confessors, (National Shrine, Franciscan Monastery, or priests of the diocese) while maintaining the spiritual director at the seminary as their only source of spiritual direction.
Summer assignments normally begin the Monday after priesthood ordinations and run for nine consecutive weeks.
College Seminary Track
College Seminary Track
Spirtuality Year (If Required) |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
First Theology |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
Second Theology |
Parish (Acolyte) + LU: 7-12 |
Third Theology |
Parish (Deacon) + LU: 13-18 |
Fourth Theology |
First Priesthood Parish Assignment |
Summer After |
Summer Assignments |
First College |
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) |
Second College |
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) |
Third College |
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) |
Fourth College |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
Spirtuality Year (If Required) |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
First Theology |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
Second Theology |
Parish (Acolyte) + LU: 7-12 |
Third Theology |
Parish (Deacon) + LU: 13-18 |
Fourth Theology |
First Priesthood Parish Assignment |
Other Undergraduate College Track
Summer After |
Summer Assignments |
Pre-Theology I |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
Pre-Theology II and/or Spirituality Year |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
First Theology |
Rotating Assignment (See Below) |
Second Theology |
Parish (Acolyte) + LU: 7-12 |
Third Theology |
Parish (Deacon) + LU: 13-18 |
Fourth Theology |
First Priesthood Parish Assignment |
Rotating Assignments:
Required | • Parish Assignment (Full Time) + LU: 1-6 |
Required* | • Spanish Studies Abroad *(If a better proficiency in Spanish is needed) |
Option | • Working at Catholic Charities St. Martin de Porres Senior Center |
Option | • Catholic Charities Hogar Hispano |
Option | • Additional Parish Assignment |
College Seminary Track
Summer After
Summer Assignments
First College
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception)
Second College
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception)
Third College
None (Possibility work at Catholic Charities or Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception)
Fourth College
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
Spirtuality Year (If Required)
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
First Theology
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
Second Theology
Parish (Acolyte) + LU: 7-12
Third Theology
Parish (Deacon) + LU: 13-18
Fourth Theology
First Priesthood Parish Assignment
Other Undergraduate College Track
Summer After
Summer Assignments
Pre-Theology I
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
Pre-Theology II and/or Spirituality Year
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
First Theology
Rotating Assignment (See Below)
Second Theology
Parish (Acolyte) + LU: 7-12
Third Theology
Parish (Deacon) + LU: 13-18
Fourth Theology
First Priesthood Parish Assignment
Rotating Assignments:
Required • Parish Assignment (Full Time) + LU: 1-6
Required*
• Spanish Studies Abroad
*(If a better proficiency in Spanish is needed)
Option • Working at Catholic Charities St. Martin de Porres Senior Center
Option • Catholic Charities Hogar Hispano
Option • Additional Parish Assignment
Spanish Studies Abroad
The program the diocese currently utilizes is administered by Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary and held in Quéretaro, Mexico. This eight week program has seminarians studying at the Organización Lingüística de Español (O.L.E.) for three hours each weekday. Seminarians are placed in classes according to their abilities, established by a placement exam given by the O.L.E. General coursework requirements include participation in classes, completion of assigned homework and a final exam. Seminarians are to attend daily Mass offered in Spanish. Lodging includes room and board (3 meals per day) in homes in Querétaro chosen by the O.L.E. and in walking distance of the school. The program also includes three communal dinners, and four excursion trips to various cities and towns throughout Mexico.
Catholic Charities St. Martin de Porres Senior Center
A seminarian works two weekdays at the St. Martin de Porres Senior Center for the elderly (4650 Taney Avenue, Alexandria) and resides and assists in a parish one weekday and also on weekends.
Catholic Charities Hogar Hispano
A seminarian works three weekdays at Hogar Hispano and resides and assists in a parish on weekends.
Summer Learning Units Program (LU):
The Summer Learning Unit Program seeks to give a broad overview and ‘hands on experience’ of various offices and ministries within our diocese. The total program spans three parish summer assignments and encompasses 18 areas or ‘Learning Units’. Units are divided into three groupings of six units per summer. Each learning unit is comprised of an in-house workshop or presentation and/or an on-site visit with various diocesan ministries or offices. Learning Units normally occur on Wednesdays between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Actual day and time may vary depending on the particular unit. Learning Units begin the second week of summer assignment and run through the eighth week of the nine week assignment.
First Grouping 1-6: Outreach and Assistance
Rectory Living Seminar & Catholic Charities Main Offices
2nd Wed. of Assignment
Catholic Charities Prison Ministry
3rd Wed. of Assignment
Propagation of the Faith Office & Resettlement Office
4th Wed. of Assignment
Virtus Program & New Seminarian Orientation/Dinner
5th Wed. of Assignment
Catholic Charities Housing, Christ House Mass & Visit
7th Wed. of Assignment
Multi-Cultural Ministry & Catholic Charities Hogar Hispano
8th Wed. of Assignment
Second Grouping 7-12: Family/Youth Services and Catholic Education
Office of Youth Ministry
2nd Wed. of Assignment
Youth Ministry Diocesan ‘Work Camp’
3rd Tue./Wed. of Assign.
Catholic Charities Elderly Services
4th Wed. of Assignment
Catechetics, Liturgy & Music & New Sem. Orientation/Dinner
5th Wed. of Assignment
Catholic Schools & Catholic Charities Children Services
7th Wed. of Assignment
Catholic Charities Family Services
8th Wed. of Assignment
Third Grouping 13-18: Central Administrative Offices
Spanish Apostolate & /Hispanic Youth Ministry
2nd Wed. of Assignment
Chancery Offices Session I (6th & 8th Floors)
3rd Tue./Wed. of Assign.
Chancery Offices Session II (9th Floor)
4th Wed. of Assignment
Tribunal, Financial Seminar & New Sem. Orientation/Dinner
5th Wed. of Assignment
Office of Family Life Session I
7th Wed. of Assignment
Office of Family Life Session II
8th Wed. of Assignment
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Installation of Ministries: Lector and Acolyte
Seminarians petitioning for Lector, Acolyte, Candidacy or Ordination to the transitional diaconate or priesthood do so in accord with the norms of the Code of Canon Law, the Program of Priestly Formation, and the requirements of the seminary they are attending. The Bishop accepts the seminarian’s various petitions only upon favorable recommendations from the Seminary Rector and the Director of the Office of Vocations. Each particular seminary initiates and facilitates the proper documentation required by the Code of Canon Law. The usual progression of reception of ministries and ordinations are as follows. However, the actual timetable may vary depending on the formation program of the individual seminaries
Ministry of Lector - Spring of First Theology or Fall of Second Theology
Ministry of Acolyte - Spring of Second Theology
Admission to Candidacy - Fall of Third Theology
Ordination to Diaconate - Late May or Early June after Third Theology
Ordination to Priesthood - Early June after Fourth Theology
Ministry of Lector
Lector is one of the ministries adapted to present day needs in the Latin Church, otherwise known as Reader. A lector is appointed to read the Word of God in the liturgical assembly. Accordingly, he reads the lesson from Sacred Scripture, except the Gospel, in the Mass and in other sacred celebrations; recites the psalms between the readings in the absence of the psalmist; presents the intentions for general intercessions when the deacon or cantor is absent; and may also direct the congregation in song. If necessary he also assumes the responsibility of instructing any of the faithful called upon to read the Scriptures in any liturgical celebration.
Ministry of Acolyte
Acolyte is a ministry to which a person is specially appointed by the Church to assist the deacon and the priest. His duty is to attend to the service of the altar and to assist as needed in the celebration of the Mass. He may also distribute Holy Communion as an Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick. An acolyte may be entrusted with publicly exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration but not with giving benediction. He may also, to the extent needed, take care of instructing other faithful who by appointment assist the priest or deacon by carrying the missal, cross, candles, and similar functions.
Call to Holy Orders: Diaconate and Priesthood
Following the successful completion of all the necessary spiritual preparation, academic studies and pastoral formation requirements, a seminarian may petition the Bishop in writing for ordination to the transitional diaconate and subsequent ordination to the priesthood. Each of these petitions must be sent, by the seminarian’s Rector to the Bishop along with a report letter of recommendation. Seminarians must remember that they are never guaranteed ordination merely because they have completed their seminary formation or obtained a theological academic degree. To be ordained, a seminarian must be called by the Bishop (in writing) to the Order of Deacon or Presbyter. A Call to Holy Orders Letter is sent directly to the seminary with a copy forwarded to the seminarian.