A vocation is a response to a specific call that Jesus Christ places on our hearts. It is our individual way of living discipleship in the Church. Our primary call, through the Sacrament of Baptism, is to be a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. It is to be a holy person. Within that first call to follow Christ, God calls us in specific ways to live a vocation to the married life, the single life, the consecrated religious life or the ordained life. 

Below is more information for those discerning a call to the ministerial priesthood. 

What is a Catholic Priest?

A Catholic Priest is someone who commits himself to and is ordained for service of God’s people. A diocesan priest spends much of his time preparing for and celebrating the sacraments (Eucharist, Reconciliation, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Confirmation) and serving the needs of his community such as visiting the sick, counseling couples, and working with parents. 

In addition to serving the day-to-day needs of people in parishes, diocesan priests may also serve in a variety of other capacities such as campus ministers, teachers, chaplains for hospitals or prisons, or in diocesan administration. The Ministry of each priest depends somewhat upon his particular interests and skills and the needs of the diocese in which he serves. 

Who can become a priest?

A single man with average intelligence, emotional stability, good health and sincere interest in serving God’s people may qualify for the priesthood. He must have a sincere interest in people and a true love of the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings, as outlined by the Second Vatican Council and subsequent official Church documents. He should also be a person who is generous and looking for the challenge that comes in following the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

How does a man become a priest?

For a man considering the possibility of priesthood he must ultimately receive a bachelor’s degree and a graduate theology degree. The exact requirements are tailored to the situation of the individual but generally involve the candidate receiving substantial education in philosophy and theology, much of which is obtained at a seminary. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles our seminarians attend St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo (occasionally another seminary) for five years to receive the post- undergraduate training. This time includes four years of classes plus a year of pastoral training (similar to an internship), usually in the middle of the seminary time. The years of training include significant times of discernment about the vocation to priesthood. Following this time of preparation and discernment, the Bishop may call the candidate to Ordination.
 
The entire process takes from 5 to 7 years after the candidate finishes college, since some will need to acquire the required classes in philosophy and/or begin discernment of a priestly vocation (especially if they are moving from another field of employment). While this seems like a long period of time, it is similar to preparing for other professions. 

How do I discern if I'm called to be a priest?

If you feel that you may be called to become a priest, first we encourage you to reflect on it in prayer. Next, schedule some time to visit with your pastor to discuss your desires and seek his counsel. We would also suggest that you talk with other priests about their vocation and their responsibilities to get a clear understanding of what a priest does and is. It may also be helpful to do more research on the priesthood and what it entails. There are many resources online to help you learn more. 

When you feel you are ready you can then contact the Diocesan Vocations Director who is prepared to help you explore the possibility of priesthood and assist you in directing your spiritual life toward discerning priesthood.

For more information on the discerning priesthood visit www.lavocations.org. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between a Diocesan Priest and a Religious Priest?  While many of us are familiar with our parish priests, there are actually two kinds of priests: diocesan priests and religious priests. Both kinds of priests are ordained and can administer the sacraments and celebrate Mass and have an essential role and share in the ministry of Jesus Christ.  All priests share in the one priesthood of Jesus.  But there are some significant differences between the call to Religious Life and the call to Diocesan Priesthood.  They are different not only in the way they live priesthood, but in the essence of their vocations.  Those men called to Consecrated Life, who live the life of a “Religious Order” priest differ from those called to the Diocesan Priesthood. 
2. What is the Catholic Church's teaching on priestly ordination concerning women? In the apostolic letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women. This teaching is to be held definitively by all the faithful as belonging to the deposit of faith. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified the authority of this teaching by stating that it is founded on the written Word of God, has been constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of the Church, and has been set forth infallibly by the universal ordinary magisterium. Ordination to the ministerial priesthood is reserved to men because the Church is bound to follow the example of the Lord, who chose only men as his Apostles. The sacrament of Holy Orders—which hands on their office of teaching, sanctifying, and governing—has always been reserved to men, in fidelity to Christ's example and to apostolic practice. The Church considers this constant and universal tradition to be in accordance with God's plan and to constitute a permanent norm.