Seminary Help Request! (Religious Vanity)

N/A | 01/10/2006 | Me

[Theoden]

Hi everyone, I need some informational help in regards to conservative seminaries, preferably in the New Jersey area, but anywhere in the US is fine. I was hoping that some of my fellow Catholics here would be able to provide me with the info I need.

[Theoden]

First off, I would like to say that I am seriously contemplating becoming a priest, but, I have not yet made a decision, nor would I be able to make that decision until I am out of college. I have a few questions that I need inforation on, and I do not want to ask my parish priest, because I don't want to get his hopes up!

1. If I do become a priest, I want to join a very conservative/traditional/orthodox seminary. I will be taking Latin classes this summer, and if I become ordained, I want to try and have at least 1 Mass in Latin. I was hoping some of you can help me out with names of very good seminaries, and some info about them.

2. I was wondering, roughly, how much a priest makes in stipends each year. I know they do not pay for food/shelter, but I know they get money each year, almostlike a salary. Also, would a priest be restricted from having any kind of money making job on the side, lets say, like being a part time accountant.

3.The Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It has been a dream of mine to joing the Knights of Malta, and I know it is an elite organization, and mostly rich people are a part of it. I have researched them and have checked out their site, but I am still not sure if a priest can join, or if it is strictly a lay-man's order. If anyone knows, I would greatly appreciate the info.

4. Myself. I am not a saint by any stretch of the imagination. I harbour a lot of anger against Islam and many other people on an individual basis, including some other Christians. My mom's side of the family is Scandinavian, and they are a mix of Lutherans, Pentocaustals and Born-Agains. They do not like Catholics at all, and feel free to share their views of our faith right in front of us, and even in our own house. I love them and all, but they, and from what I have seen here on FR, have an extreme, almost loathing view of Catholics, and will not change. They commonly make snide or inflamatory remarks, and then walk away from the conversation so they don't have to hear anything from us. This infuriates me, and I am quite tired of turning the other cheek simply to "keep the peace" in the family. My dad is Irish-Catholic, and I know that they just barely tolerate him, and hold him responsible for my mom converting. I get the feeling that they are turning against me now, since I am standing up for my religion, and because I joined the Knights of Columbus.I hope you can pray for me, so that I can be much more forgiveing, and that I lose my anger. I don't like being angry like this, but I can't seem to help it.

5. Are there any lists around, that provide the do's and don'ts, so to speak, of the clergy? Such as, are priests allowed to own firearms, go to the bar, etc. I am very right wing, and I am very political. I really don't want to give up these things.

6.If after I am ordained, and something happens that changes my life, like me meeting a great woman, would I be allowed to leave the clergy and honorably attend church, or would I face a penalty, such as excommunication?

Any info you can give me would be great! Thanks for taking the time to read my post, and pray for me!!!

P.S. I am at work right now as an intern, so if I do not reply, or I am not able to reply right away, I am not ignoring you, I just don't have a chance to get on Free Republic. Any typos or erors are mine. Thanks

[Theoden]

Ping!

[Nihil Obstat]

"Awesome" is a word that gets way over-used... but this is awesome. You are going to get a lot of great advise from people here but all I am going to offer now is prayers. God bless you.

"Such as, are priests allowed to own firearms, go to the bar, etc. I am very right wing, and I am very political. I really don't want to give up these things."

But I will answer this part. Sure they can... in fact I am willing to bet you will be sent a picture of "Nuns with guns" shortly. Priests can have firearms and go to the bars (at least all but a few orders can) as long as they don't get too attached to them. Also, you might look into Fr. Frank Pavone's new order. You might be a good fit there.

Again, God bless you. Praised be Jesus Christ.

[Vicomte13]

"are priests allowed to own firearms, go to the bar, etc. I am very right wing, and I am very political. I really don't want to give up these things."

As a priest, you can indeed continue to do those things for as long as you can stand to keep doing them.

[Theoden]

Thanks for your input. Fr. Pavone's name sounds familiar, I'll have to do a search on it in a minute.

I have to admit, I feel very odd posting here, but I know there are a lot of great people here who can give me the information I am looking for. I don't post very much, but I am constantly lurking. There are many people pushing me to be a priest including my mom, and my parish monsignor. The biggest influences though, come from Free Republic. It is because of the posts of people like you that I have truly grown to love Catholicism, from a teenager who was indifferent about it at first. Thanks to you, and all of the other good people here!

[Theoden]

I totally understand what you are saying. My concern is not the bottom line, actually, I am making more money now as a colege intern, then I would as a Father. I am concerned though, because I live in Morris County, New Jersey, and everything is VERY expensive here. The price of gas is still over $2.50 a gallon, and the cost of living is high. I was also wondering, because my Monsignor is a part-time RN at the hospital, and he went on vacation to Europe last year. I was also curious about that.

[Theoden]

I am glad to hear that, =P

[MudPuppy]

God Bless you....I'll be praying for your vocation - whatever it is. Just the fact that you're opening yourself to the possibility of a priestly vocation speaks volumes in itself.

Mount St. Mary's College

[Campion]

If after I am ordained, and something happens that changes my life, like me meeting a great woman, would I be allowed to leave the clergy and honorably attend church, or would I face a penalty, such as excommunication?

The first thing you need to discern is whether you are called to the vocation of celibacy for the service of God. That comes before discerning whether you have the specific vocation to the priesthood.

[Nihil Obstat]

There are some great people on Free Republic for sure. You have some good questions there and they will definitely help you.

Fr. Frank Pavone is the leader of "Priests for Life". His new order will be very active in politics. It might be a good fit for you since you are conservative and interested in politics.

http://www.priestsforlife.org/

[Theoden]

As soon as I clicked on your link I realized Fr. Pavone was Terri Schiavo's priests. I knew it sounded familiar for some reason. I believe he was featured in the months Columbia magazine.

[Theoden]

This is probably the biggest obstacle for me. I understand why the Latin Rite demands celibacy, particularly for obedience and service only for the Lord. However, I know some of the other rites allow marriage, the Orthodox allow marriage, convert priests (Such as Episcopals) are allowed to stay married, and clergy have been married in the past. It is essentially a rule of the Latin rite that priests may not marry, but I do not honestly see the rule staying in effect. That is perhaps the only "somewhat liberal" sentiment in me. I would certainly not push for it, but I it would not be unwelcomed if it happened. At least right now in my life, as a 20yo, I am not quite mature enough to accept this. But it would be at least 5-6 years before I would be ordained anyway, and a lot of instruction would happen in that time. There is a girl at church I was thinking about asking out the next time I see her, that is what is on my mind. I have a lot of thinking to do.

[Theoden]

Thats great! My brother is an Eagle Scout, and he has a home-made bow that he made a couple of years ago. It certainly is not a cross bow though, that has got to be fairly hard to make. Is your son into medieval history or Lord of the Rings? I have a large collection of items with that theme that in the future I may get rid of. I would not mind giving them to someone who whould like them. Let me know if he is interested.

[alisasny]

Have you looked into the Friars?

I have over the years found the Franciscian Friars to be a great group of Gods servants.

[alisasny]

Father Groschel being perhaps one deserving of most admiration.

[Theoden]

I am thinking more on the lines of a dicesan priest, as I want to be inspirational so to speak. I am currently a Business Administration major, and would probably feel much more comfortable dealing with a larger scale/managerial type of vocation, such as dealing with finance, yet helping the Church in any way I can.

[Theoden]

I have to admit, I only know of the Friars in name, I dont actually know a lot about them. I have a lot of homework to do.

I saw "Moran's" in your profile. It said that is where you were heading off to. It is kind of funny, as that is my last name, and I am in the tri-state area!