College Seminary

[the_rev]

Hey guys and gals of Phatmass,

This should probably be in Vocation Station, however I want to get more people than those who are considering the religious life.

The question is, What do you think of young people attending college seminary?

What do you think of priests of have attended College Semianry?

I have written my parish Priest, Fr. Dave about my possibility of entering a college seminary, here is the email I wrote him:

[quote]Father,

Recently I have been praying about my vocation.  And really feel that my calling is to become a priest.  I keep in contact with a few college seminarians via email, and have told them that day by day I continue to feel my vocation is to become a priest.

They have continually encouraged me to at least visit the college seminary.  At this point, I feel it is the best option for me, to enter after high school a college seminary.

What is your opinion?

Thanks!

Eddie [/quote]


Here is his response:

[quote]Eddie,

   I am surprised that you are writing to me about this for two reasons. You have not been asking me anything recently and you know my answer to this question.  I do not think that attending a college seminary is a good idea. I think that you need to live your life freely for a while as a couple should not live together before they are married.  Please take the time to talk to me in person about this some time.  Best wishes and prayers.

(Fr.) Dave Ruby [/quote]

In confession today he told me that he would support me in any decison I would make and would not think anything less of me.

Now I ask you pham, what do you think?

Edited April 9, 2005 by the_rev

[musturde]

Well, it counts on what God's telling you.

[vianney]

I entered Saint John Vianney College Seminary out of high school. It was the best decision i have ever made. Look college seminary is not signing up to be a priest. It is working on becoming holier so that you may hear God's call for you more clearly, either as a priest, religious, or married man. College seminary is great and I dont regret coming out of high school one bit. You should visit SJV, they have great visitations weekends and at anytime you would be able to come and visit and talk with the rector and seminarians. Talk to your vocation director.

Any other questions pm me.

PAX,
Vianney

[franciscanheart]

I say ask God. I'm sure you have been praying but I believe that if you listen soley to Him, who will place the answer in your heart, then you will not make the wrong decision. I see both sides of the coin and could never give a more perfect answer than our loving Father. Let Him help you for he knows you better than anyone ever could.

[willguy]

Alright, my .02

In my opinion, if you are considering the priesthood, the college seminary is the best place to discern for several reasons:

1. There are people at seminaries whose job it is to help you discern
2. Very practically, college is expensive. Part of joining a seminary is proof that you have little or no debt (the exact amount will vary by diocese). If you go to a regular (ie non-seminary) college and rack up student loans, it will make entering the seminary more difficult. Also, unless you work it out just right, after graduating a regular college you'd then have to do one or two years (again, it varies by seminary) of pre-theology before joining a major seminary, which adds year(s) and expense.
3. If you attend a regular college knowing that you want to enter the seminary, will you really "live your life freely" or will you just be passing time until you enter the seminary?
4. A lot of valuable formation takes place in the college seminary that you will miss out on. That's not to say that guys who don't attend college seminary before joinging a major seminary are malformed, but they do miss out.

These are just my quick thoughts from the inside. The biggest key is prayer, especially to Our Mother and to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

[-I---Love]

Without knowing much about you, I say he is right. This is the last thing I would want to hear if I were you, and at one time I sort of was you and still am, but you should wait and go to college rather than join the seminary out of highschool.

I know many ppl will disagree, but take a road trip first, go abroad a semester, get an apartment w/ some buddies, cruise around in the middle of the nite jammin to some tunes, study hard, work out or join a sports team, and do something positive you've never done once at college. Pray all the while, be a Christian example, and HAVE A FREAKIN GOOD TIME!

I think that is the best thing for you.

[Norseman82]

As someone who almost went to the college seminary in Chicago, I will tell you this much about how it works here: if you do not go to the college seminary, you will be required to take a year of pre-theology and philosophy before entering Mundelein. I don't know if this requirement is waived if one takes similar courses at a Catholic college.

[the_rev]

My feelings are if I know I am called to the priesthood, why not et a head start!

Also an appealing aspect of college seminary is that our dioceses, Green Bay, will pay 1/2 of the fees.

[vianney]

[quote]I know many ppl will disagree, but take a road trip first, go abroad a semester, get an apartment w/ some buddies, cruise around in the middle of the nite jammin to some tunes, study hard, work out or join a sports team, and do something positive you've never done once at college. Pray all the while, be a Christian example, and HAVE A FREAKIN GOOD TIME!
[/quote]

Who says you cannot do this in college seminary?

[Carnanc]

I plan on going to college seminary next fall, and I am going because I feel that God has called me to look into if the life of a priest is what I am called to. you will, even if you do not go on to major seminary, receive valuable spiritual direction and formation which will be of great importance in any vocation. Also at College seminary you also are going to college so you will get a good education from a good school. continue to pray about. Be open, if it is God's will you will go there.

[bamthor]

You have to enter seminary. Pursue God's will to the fullest. He will take care of you.

[aloha918]

i would say that if you go into one it should be at a university......mainly so that you see a women more than your mom once a semester......many times i think that priests who do this loose their "gift" with women.....also many can become very reserved......and not very pastoral.........

[Phikoz]

i say yup, go to college seminary. a lot more attention would be focused on your discernment and just being in an atmosphere where the guys around you are doing the same thing is great.

i plan on going to SJV this fall!!

[the_rev]

[quote]i would say that if you go into one it should be at a university......mainly so that you see a women more than your mom once a semester......many times i think that priests who do this loose their "gift" with women.....also many can become very reserved......and not very pastoral......... [/quote]

I'm not sure there are college seminaries that don't have seminarians take classes at a Catholic College. I will be going to St. John Vianney, and you take classes at St. Thomas University. I know at Kenrick-Glencoe (sp?) that take classes at St. Louis university.

[Phikoz]

if you went to the Diocese of La Crosse, you could go to High School Seminary, right now

Holy Cross Seminary and House of Formation (high school)
3710 East Avenue South PO Box 4004 LaCrosse, WI 54602-4004
Reverend Samuel Martin, Director (608)787-9095
Mr. Joseph Keating, Prefect (608) 787-8978

Edited April 10, 2005 by Phikoz