FAQs

What is a priest?

In short, a priest is a man for others. A priest serves the faithful in union with Christ. Without Christ, a priest fails in his priesthood.

What does a diocesan priest do?

In general, diocesan priests celebrate the sacraments of baptism, marriage, confession, anointing of the sick, and the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ. They perform the corporal works of mercy. In other aspects of priesthood, priests administrate the parish, and work with different parish committees and ministries. They deal with people and their issues. In other cases, the Bishop assigns priests with particular ministries: Hospital Chaplains, Prison Chaplains, Seminary Formator, Vocation Director, Canon Lawyers, Chancellor, etc. 

What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

This sacrament of Holy Orders bestows the necessary grace for a man to become a member of the clergy in the Catholic Church. There are three degrees of ordination:

Deacon – An ordained minister dedicated to service, especially in these three areas: proclamation and preaching of the Word of God, the liturgy, and charity.
Priest – An ordained minister to serve the People of God within a particular Diocese or Religious community.
Bishop - An ordained minister to serve the People of God in a position of authority.

What are the two kinds of Priests?

1. A diocesan priest serves under a bishop within a particular diocese.

2. A religious priest is a member of a religious community committed to a special charism. They respond to their perspective superior.  

What are the qualifications for being a priest?
 

• Minimum Age to receive Holy Orders: 25 – “The presbyterate is not to be conferred except on those who have completed the twenty-fifth year of age and possess sufficient maturity; an interval of at least six months is to be observed between the diaconate and the presbyterate.” (Code of Canon Law, 1031 §1).
• A Baptized Male: “A baptized male alone receives sacred ordination validly.” (Code of Canon Law, §1024).
• The person chooses freely: “A person must possess due freedom in order to be ordained. It is absolutely forbidden to force anyone in any way or for any reason to receive orders or to deter one who is canonically suitable from receiving them” (Code of Canon Law, §1026).
• The person needs to prepare in a seminary: “Those aspiring to the diaconate and presbyterate are to be formed by careful preparation, according to the norm of law” (Code of Canon Law, §1027).
• The person needs to have baptism, first communion, and confirmation: “A person is promoted licitly to orders only if he has received the sacrament of confirmation” (Code of Canon Law, §1033).
• For more information, the Code of Canon Law provides the irregularities and other impediments in canons 1040-1049.

  
Why are priests celibate?
God gifts His priests with celibacy. Priests sacrifice the natural call to marriage and accept the supernatural call to celibacy. They reserve themselves for Christ. Celibacy allows priests to love the faithful like Christ loves His Bride, the Church.
Where do you study to be a priest?
Seminarians (future priests) study in seminaries. In the seminary, the seminarian receives an education, further develops his prayer life, increases in self-knowledge, and learns pastoral skills. The Diocese of Brownsville currently uses two seminary locations: St. Joseph's Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana, and St. Mary's Seminary in Houston, TX.

How much does seminary formation cost?
The Diocese of Brownsville assists current seminarians with the financial costs.

What studies are needed?

• A Collegiate is a seminarian without a post-high school education or college degree. They start a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a four-year program.

• A Pre-Theologian is a seminarian with a college degree. However, the seminary expects these seminarians to study philosophy. They study philosophy for two years, before they start with their graduate studies in Theology.

• A Theologian is a seminarian studying for a master’s degree in theology. They study for four years at a major seminary. They pursue a degree called Masters of Divinity.

• Overall, the Church expects for seminarians to learn philosophy and theology.

What if my family is not supportive?
In some cases, family and friends misunderstand the vocation to priesthood or religious life. Despite their lack of support, you can develop friendships with seminarians and priests, who can support you. Within time and explanations, your family and friends can learn the signficance of priesthood through your vocation.