FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIOCESE OF ROCKFORD
VOCATIONS PROGRAM
|
|
WHO IS A DIOCESAN PRIEST?
Call him a parish Priest. "Diocesan" comes from a Greek word meaning "to keep house," and "parish" (also a Greek word) means "A dwelling beside or near." A diocesan priest is the priest involved in the day-to-day lives of people. He "lives near them" in every way, and helps the local bishop to "keep house" in the family of God, either as an Associate Pastor or as a Pastor (and sometimes in ministries like teaching, or serving as a campus minister, or as a chaplain in a hospital, a military base, or a prison). A parish priest in the Diocese of Rockford is committed to the family of God living in the eleven counties of Northern Illinois.
WHY BE A PRIEST?
Why not? Everyone looks for a meaning and fulfillment in life. For a Christian, life’s meaning is related to serving God. Many people serve God and find meaning and joy in the vocation of marriage. But some young men, even though they see married life as a way of serving God, feel the Lord calling them to a different kind of service and lifestyle in the Church. Instead of marriage vows, they take the vows of obedience and celibacy. Priesthood is a special way of serving the Christian community as a leader in prayer and service, as a brother and a "father." Maybe it’s the perfect choice for you.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RELIGIOUS PRIEST AND DIOCESAN PRIEST?
A religious priest (a member of a religious order or society) takes the vow of poverty as well as vows of celibacy and obedience. Usually, he lives with a number of other priests or brothers of his religious community. His service to the Church may extend beyond the diocese: he can expect to be sent anywhere in the world where his community is working. A diocesan priest, on the other hand, ordinarily serves within the diocese for which he is ordained. He makes a commitment to his bishop. He does not, however, take a vow of poverty. Instead, he is paid a salary from which he must pay for his own car, gas, insurance, clothes and personal needs.
WHAT DOES A PRIEST DO?
The ministry of a priest always depends somewhat on his particular interest and skills. The basic thrust of the ministry of a priest is to proclaim the Word of God. He does this in a variety of ways. He may spend much of his time in preparation for and in celebration of the sacraments (Eucharist, Reconciliation, Baptism, Funerals, Marriage, Sacrament of the Sick). Each day he sets some time aside for prayer. Visiting the sick, visiting people in their homes, and working with the various parish and neighborhood organizations are all part of his ministry, too. The diocesan priest must also be available to people when they have special needs. He is frequently involved in individual counseling, (marriage problems, drug problems, parent/teacher problems, or just life in general). He chooses to live with a certain community of faith (a parish), and thus is involved as a leader with the social and spiritual concerns of his people. Like anyone else, a priest must also find some time for exercise, rest and relaxation - time when he can do whatever he enjoys; things like sports, hobbies, music, etc.
WHO QUALIFIES?
A single man with average intelligence, emotional stability, a habit of generosity and a sincere love for God qualifies for priesthood. He should enjoy working with a variety of people and be committed to making the world a better place through priestly ministry. He should be a happy individual who loves life and is willing to dive head first into all God wants of him. He should seek after holiness, be faithful to the Church’s teachings and be loyal to the Holy Father.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
That depends on the individual, his background, and when he starts preparation. If he is a college graduate, with no previous seminary experience, it will probably take five years. High school graduate will have four years of college and four years of theology.
AM I COMMITTING MYSELF TO BEING A PRIEST BY GOING TO SEMINARY?
No. A Seminarian is not committed to being a priest, but to exploring the possibility of priesthood as a life’s choice. The seminary formation program makes demands that help him test his happiness living the life of a priest. While he grows through experience and prayer, study, ministry, fraternity, celibacy and community life, the candidate is assisted by a spiritual director and a formation contact person on the seminary faculty. A regular evaluation of his progress at the seminary helps him make a decision to enter the next state of formation: theology (for those graduating from college or ordination. A seminarian who leaves the formation program at any stage may transfer to any college or university program and has lost nothing except for his uncertainty about being a priest. In the process, he has probably gained a better sense of his own calling to serve the church in some way besides priesthood.
HOW DO I KNOW GOD'S HOLY WILL FOR ME?
There are two manifestations of God's Divine Will.
The first is God's Ordinary Will.
We know God's Ordinary Will through the duty of stat that all of us have to carry out. It is God's Will for the mother to take care of her children's needs before assisting at Daily Mass. It is God's Will that the monk fulfills his duties of communal prayer before going to milk the cows. We should perform our ordinary daily duties well. This is God's Will for each of us.
The second is God's Signified Will.
St. Francis de Sales was three times struck off his galloping horse to land three times on his sword and scabbard in the form of a cross. Despite his father's opposition, he took this as a sign of priestly vocation. He abandoned his work as a senator, and entered the seminary to become a priest and later a bishop.
By definition, what is extraordinary happens rarely. God usually calls people through ordinary means, and only exceptionally calls people through direct Divine Intervention, ex St. Paul struck off his horse and blinded.
WHAT DOES GOD'S WILL HAVE TO DO WITH A VOCATION?
It has everything to do with it. God has a Divine Plan for each of us to follow from all eternity. We will be happy in so far as we discover and follow His Divine Will for each on of us, and unhappy if we do not follow His Will. The path that we voluntarily choose, good or bad, will determine our salvation.
IS A VOCATION A FEELING?
No, it is an objective call from God and an aptitude, ex. having the "right stuff." We should not wait for stars and rockets to follow a vocation. In fact, we might not feel anything at all, but we have what it takes and we are willing to do God's Will. A young may never have felt a call to the priesthood but enters the seminary because a priest saw in him the signs of a vocation, and asked him to seriously consider it.
IF A VOCATION IS NOT FROM ME, WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
It comes from God through the ordaining bishop. Only at the imposition of hands by the bishop do we know that we "had" a vocation. After ordination, we no longer "have a vocation." It has come and gone in an instant. What we were once called to, we now possess. It becomes a state of life, rather than a vocation.
HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I SHOULD ENTER THE SEMINARY?
You can't. All we can have are indications that it is the right thing to do. If you are morally upright, pious, intelligent, balanced and in good health, you might have a vocation. The only way to know is to try. Even if it turns out that we do not have a vocation, the years spent at the seminary are never lost.
BUT HARDLY ANYONE ENTERS THE SEMINARY ANYMORE, WHY SHOULD I?
To save your immortal soul. If it is God's Will for you to become a priest, or a religious, then that's the way that God wants you to save your soul, St. John Bosco said that one in three young persons has a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.
WHY ARE THERE SO FEW VOCATIONS IF ONE IN THREE ARE CALLED BY GOD TO SERVE HIM?
Like any garden, our soul can be overcome by weeds and our vocation can die. God calls but do we listen? There are so many diabolical distractions that turn our minds and hearts from God and the things of God. There where you treasure is, there will be your heart. Millions of vocations never have a chance to mature because they are corrupted at a very young age. Without holy families, there are no holy priests.
There are several signs that help us discern or decide if priesthood or religious life is right for us:
You need to pray! It has to be done often and every day. It is important to be specific with your prayer. Ask God, “What do you want me to do with my life?” Simply ask the question, then be quiet and listen to what God speaks to your heart.
Talk to your friends about the idea of priesthood or being a religious sister or brother. Listen to what they say. Get insight from your parents. Speak to your parish priest. God speaks not only to the heart directly but through other people. Generally, of others agree with your desire, then this is a positive sign.
CAN
YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING GOD’S WORK IN THE CHURCH?
When
you go to Mass can you picture yourself doing the work of a priest?
If the things mentioned above are all positive, then it is time to act. The hardest thing to do is to talk to someone about this calling and to see if testing your call is an option. Give the diocese a call, talk to the Vocation Director or your parish priest about your options, ask questions. Get as much information as you can - pray - then ACT! You just may be surprised what God has to say to you.
To leave a message contact: Father Aaron Brodeski at
mail@RockVoc.org |
BACK TO HOME PAGE |