The Second Vatican Council on the Ministry and Life of Priests

"Through the ministry of the priests, the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful is made perfect in union with the sacrifice of Christ. He is the only mediator who in the name of the whole Church is offered sacramentally in the Eucharist and in an unbloody manner until the Lord himself comes. The ministry of priests is directed to this goal and is perfected in it. Their ministry, which begins with the evangelical proclamation, derives its power and force from the sacrifice of Christ. Its aim is that "the entire commonwealth of the redeemed and the society of the saints be offered to God through the High Priest who offered himself also for us in his passion that we might be the body of so great a Head." The purpose, therefore, which priests pursue in their ministry and by their life is to procure the glory of God the Father in Christ. That glory consists in this-that men working freely and with a grateful spirit receive the work of God made perfect in Christ and then manifest it in their whole lives. Hence, priests, while engaging in prayer and adoration, or preaching the word, or offering the Eucharistic Sacrifice and administering the other sacraments, or performing other works of the ministry for men, devote all this energy to the increase of the glory of God and to man's progress in the divine life." (Presbyterorum Ordinis 2)

The Ministry of Priests

• To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all
• To mediate encounters between people and God through the Sacraments
• To encourage and foster growth in holiness
• To pray for the needs of the Church and the world
• To facilitate the communal activity and service of the Church in the world
• To lead the faithful to discover their own vocations, to grow in charity and service, and to grow in Christian maturity
• To show a special concern for the poor, the sick, and those on the margins of society
• To foster Christian faith among young people and families

Why does the Church need priests?

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the life of the Church. Without the Eucharist, there is no Church. In a sacramental way, Christ is present to the Church in the person of the priest. All of the sacraments offer a personal encounter with Christ, and the priest is the one who offers the sacraments.

How do I know if God is calling me to the priesthood?

Today, many people look to the future and ask: What do I want to do with my life? The proper question is: God, what do you want me to do with my life for you? To know if you are being called, you must have a prayerful relationship with God, since God is the one who calls us to a specific vocation. Often, when someone senses that God is calling them to the priesthood, there is a negative reaction. This is normal, but do not think that it means you are not meant to be a priest. Very often, it is a positive indicator!

What qualities are looked for in a priest?

A desire to serve others - love for the Church - deep faith - man of prayer - leadership ability - one who relates well with people - and one who is a builder of the community.

What do I do if I think I am being called to the priesthood?

Speak to people you trust and get their feedback. You may also wish to speak to your pastor or any other priest you know. Most of all, speak with the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese, because he can answer many of your questions.

Do I have to know for sure that I want to be a priest to enter the seminary?

No. There are two levels of seminary formation, college and theology. In both cases, seminary is not only a place of education and formation, it is also a place for continued prayer and discernment.

What is the process for entering the seminary?

There is first an application process for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Once the student is accepted by the Archdiocese, then there is another application process for the seminary.

Where would I attend the seminary?

Currently, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis uses Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary in Indianapolis for college and Saint Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, IN, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome for theology. Once a man is accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese, he is assigned a seminary by the Archbishop.

What are the academic requirements to enter the seminary?

To enter seminary college, a student must have completed high school with a GPA of 2.0 or better. For the final four years of theology, a student needs a four-year college degree with a GPA of 2.5 or better and some basic philosophy requirements. Generally, the education process requires eight years after high school.

If I were ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where would I serve?

Most diocesan priests serve as parish priests. However, some do serve in other roles, such as high school chaplain, hospital chaplain, or in offices at the Archbishop O'Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis.

How much does seminary cost and who is responsible for the expense?

For college seminarians, the Archdiocese works with the student and family to cover expenses. In addition, there are numerous financial aid packages available through the seminary and university. At the theology level, the Archdiocese covers all the basic expenses of room, board, tuition, books, and health insurance premiums. The theology students also receive a monthly allowance to help defer other personal expenses.