Application Process

Vocation Office Process for Priestly Formation Program Candidates

If you have a strong calling to the priesthood but have no idea on how to get started, the information below is a guide to what happens from your first contact with the Vocation Director to the day of your application to the Seminary.

A potential candidate is referred to the Vocation Director by a priest or parish team member or makes a self referral.

First Contact by Vocation Director is normally done by phone

• Establish seriousness of intention
• Answer any questions the potential candidate might have
• Begin to collect information: biographical data, age vs. maturity, level of involvement in parish, major obstacles, etc.
• Preliminary decision to continue or not
• Vocation Director sends brochure and CD-ROM
• Follow-up call to discuss brochure and CD-ROM

Seminary Visit (for post-high school candidates)

• First interview - potential candidate tells his story to Vocation Director
• Tour of seminary
• Liturgy with seminary community
• Lunch

During the visit the Vocation Director will note the following

• Appropriateness of dress and behavior
• Communication skills
• Degree of participation in the liturgy
• Interaction with seminarians at lunch
• Appropriateness of questions and conversation on the tour
• Second decision to continue or not

Discernment support

• Maintain contact
• Scheduled social activities
• Provide the candidate help in finding a Spiritual Director
• Regular communication with candidate's pastor
• Third decision to continue or not

Behavior based assessment

• Two hour interview
• Confidential report and recommendations made to Rector and Vice Rector

Application Packet is given to Candidate

• Upon completion of Application Packet, the applicant is placed on the Seminary Admission Board agenda
• Three interviews
• Series of psychological interviews