becoming a priest
The Formation Program for the Catholic Priesthood in the Diocese of Brooklyn consists of several possibilities:
- Formation on High School Level
- Formation on College and Pre-Theology Level
- Formation on the Theologate Level
- Formation at the Pope John Paul II House of Discernment
Potential candidates for the Catholic Priesthood begin the program which most applies to their age and level of education. Not all priests attend every single level, but each level does help to prepare one considering the call to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Click on the appropriate link for more information:
Formation on High School Level
Cathedral Preparatory Seminary
Formation on College and Pre-Theology Level
Cathedral Seminary House of Formation
Formation on the Theologate Level
The Major Seminary
Residence at the Pope John Paul II House of Discernment
"Are you willing to say ‘Yes’?"
When one lives in the seminary, one often hears “Vocation Stories” from the seminarians. They describe the way in which they “heard” and answered God’s call to the priesthood. Some stories include literally “leaving everything behind”, dramatic conversions, struggles and difficulties in saying “Yes” to God’s call. My own vocation story is not as interesting or entertaining—some might describe it as boring—because all my life I wanted to be a priest. I never thought of, desired, or dreamed about anything else but becoming a priest. Deep in my heart, I knew what God wanted from me and I knew that I should begin my journey towards priesthood at the High School Seminary, Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst. I told family and friends that I was going to Cathedral because of the small size, the easy travel, and the reasonable tuition, but I knew that I was going there for one reason—I wanted to be a priest...
