Post-College

Six Steps:

1. Explore your options. Does priesthood keep coming to mind?

2. Gather information. What appeals to you about priesthood? Do you have a realistic idea of what a priest does, the rewards and sacrifices?

3. Talk to someone you trust. Listen for affirmation of your strengths and feedback about areas in which you would like to experience growth.

4. Get involved. Priesthood is foremost a life of service. Get a feel for service by volunteering in your parish or a community outreach program.

5. Pray. It is God who calls men to priesthood. Every step along the way involves an invitation from God and your response.

6. Contact the Vocations Office. This is not a sign-on-the-dotted line move. The Vocations Office can supply you with information on each of the above steps. Only when you are ready, the Vocations Office will guide you through the admissions process.

 

 

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MEN'S DISCERNMENT GROUP

Are you looking for fellowship, support, and feedback as you discern your vocation? Join a new discernment group for men college age or older. We are meeting four times this semester. You are welcome to attend as many gatherings as your schedule permits. Seminarians will be on hand to answer questions and participate in the discussions.

Here are the upcoming meetings for this semester. Meetings are from 7:30-10:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

Oct. 21, 2005
Mary and My Call
Reflections on devotion to Our Lady
Reading: "Redemptoris Mater" ("Mother of the Redeemer"), Pope
John Paul II's encyclical on Mary
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0224/_INDEX.HTM
Nov. 18, 2005
100 Days After WYD in Cologne, Germany
Reflections on how the Church worldwide has influenced
individuals' call from God
Reading: Pope Benedict XVI's message at the WYD Marienfeld
Vigil with Youth
http://www.wjt2005.de/index.php?
id=1893&backPID=1373&tt_news=1185
Dec. 16, 2005
From Baptism to Bishop
-Archbishop Timothy Dolan reflects on his priestly discernment
-Adoration in the chapel in Archbishop Dolan's home
-Hors-d'oeuvres and socialization

Jan. 20, 2006
Feb. 17, 2006
March 17, 2006
April 21, 2006

The address of Saint Francis Seminary is 3257 S. Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235.

Why join a discernment group?

  • To pray with other men who are serious about answering the universal call to holiness
  • To share in fellowship and support each other as we seek to do God's will
  • To engage in thought-provoking discussion on spirituality, the Catholic faith, discernment, and opportunities to serve God and His people
  • To grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Who can be involved?

Men of college age and older who have a desire to know, love, and serve the Lord in the vocations to which He calls us.

Is there a commitment to attend the group meetings?

You may not be able to make it to all four meetings this semester. We ask that when you are present, you participate fully. We pray that through your active discernment, involvement in this group will become a priority for you.

Must I be discerning a call to priesthood to join?

No, but you must have an openness to go wherever God may be calling you in your life.

Do I have to prepare?

You don’t have to, but it would really add to the discussion if you checked out the discussion material. Suggested reading will be posted for each meeting, but feel free to bring in any other materials that you believe would add to the discussion.

St. Francis is an hour away!

We realize that you may have to drive a distance to be involved in the group. In the future we would like to have groups around the diocese.

Coming?

Please let the Vocations Office know if you’re coming…even if you don’t know until the last minute. E-mail vocations@sfs.edu or call 414-747-6437 so that we know how many to expect.

Graduation from college puts you at a crossroads. Will you go on to graduate school or out into your chosen career field? If you’re thinking about priesthood, graduate school at Saint Francis Seminary could be your next step.

Maybe you’re already working in your career but find yourself wondering, “Is this all there is?” Explore your options!

More School?

Priests earn a Master of Divinity Degree. The seminary program to prepare for diocesan priesthood is typically five years, including a nine-month parish internship during year three.

If you do not have undergraduate credits in philosophy and theology, the Priestly Formation Program will take six years.

This may seem like a big chunk of time at this point in your life, but remember that God’s people deserve the best from their priests. Becoming the best priest you can be starts in the seminary.

Prerequisites

Pre-theology: If you do not have at least 24 credits in undergraduate philosophy and 9 credits in theology, you can meet these prerequisites at Saint Francis Seminary in the Pre-theology Program, which usually takes one academic year.

The undergraduate credits must include

  • philosophy of human nature
  • metaphysics
  • ethics
  • epistemology
  • the Christian philosophical tradition (including medieval philosophy)
  • contemporary philosophy.

Your theology undergraduate credits must include both systematic theology and biblical studies.

Typical Course Summary
(five-year program, including parish internship for one academic year)

  • Theological Research and Writing Seminar (required during the first semester unless completed in the Pre-theology Program)
  • Biblical Studies - 17 credits
  • Systematic Theology - 20 credits
  • Moral Theology - 8 credits
  • Spiritual Theology - 5 credits
  • Historical Studies - 8 credits
  • Pastoral Studies - 22 credits
  • Word and Worship - 19 credits
  • Electives - 11 credits

Pre-theology
(one-year program for students to meet philosophy and theology prerequisites for the Priestly Formation Program)

Sample courses of study in pre-theology:

  • Introduction to Sacred Scripture
  • Philosophy for Theology I
  • Philosophy for Theology II
  • Catholic Faith and Doctrine
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • Modern Philosophy
  • Medieval Philosophy
  • Contemporary Philosophy
  • Theological Research and Writing Seminar (required during the first semester)

Confused about the difference between diocesan and religious order priest? Click here.

Interested in finding out how your personality fits with priesthood? Click here.

Interested in a retreat? Click here.

Read the Come and See newsletter for feature stories, information, and more. Come & See - Summer 2005 (PDF format) (Be sure to click on reload or refresh to make sure you're getting the link to the latest newsletter.)

Does this summary give you the information you're looking for? E-mail me with any unanswered questions you may have: vocations@sfs.edu

Finances

Candidates for priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee receive an archdiocesan subsidy and may apply for other grants and scholarships. Many seminarians also engage in part-time employment on campus.

Expenses (per year):

Application Fee 25.00
Room Deposit 150.00
Tuition, room and board 16,000.00*
Health Insurance (mandatory) Paid by Saint Francis Seminary if unavailable under a parent’s or guardian’s policy
Books, automobile, clothing, and other personal expenses 3,500.00

* Tuition subsidy of $13,000.00 is provided by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Saint Francis Seminary is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.