How Do I Best Prepare?
Community of Priestly Formation
Evidence of above-average Christian discipleship must be found in a priestly candidate. The following are some prerequisites for a man who wishes to apply for formation:
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- Commitment and fidelity to the Church 鈥� love for the Church and for the gifts it offers humanity is imperative for those who aspire to be of service in the Church;
- Normal piety 鈥� if not at least ordinarily devoted to religious practice, it could hardly be听expected that men would be fitted for the more than ordinary religious exercise of priests;听they must be men of prayer, always striving to grow in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ;
- Parochial Involvement 鈥� five years is a standard minimum amount of time for a听man to exhibit his commitment to life in the Byzantine Catholic Church; he must be involved听long enough to demonstrate service, a good reputation, and the depth of his spirituality and听understanding of the Church; liturgical and/or catechetical involvement is preferred; this听involvement in the life of the parish should immediately precede his application to be a听seminarian;
- Commitment to chaste, moral living 鈥� as Christian leaders, those who follow the听religious life are held in the eyes of the public to a higher standard and occasions for scandal听are increased; a willingness to struggle to live in holiness according to God鈥檚 precepts is听crucial;
- Good health 鈥� formation and priestly life, itself, make demands upon a man鈥檚听constitution; good physical and emotional health is essential;
- Good mind 鈥� it is the training of the mind that enables a man to think deeply about听important things which are necessary parts of the spiritual life; the supernatural rests upon听the natural, and, in order to perfect themselves supernaturally, priests must grow naturally听and intellectually; they must be able to make prudent, fair, and impartial decisions;
- Ability to learn 鈥� as preachers and teachers of the Gospel, priests, themselves, must听have the ability to learn and grow; bishops expect men to be accepted to formation only after听completing college with a 4-year undergraduate degree with a grade point average of at听least 3.0; a liberal arts undergraduate program with concentrations in fields such as Greek听philosophy (the vocabulary of the Church Fathers), Church history, and literature can be a听particularly effective 鈥渨eigh station鈥� for discernment;
- Temperance 鈥� ordained men do not allow unnecessary concerns to divert them from听their primary purpose of carrying out the Lord鈥檚 Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20); they听are self-disciplined and able and willing to be formed;
- Willingness to work hard 鈥� parochial ministry presents the unique opportunity to听weave together a man鈥檚 God-given vocation with his occupation; this way of life requires focus听and a desire to confront challenges for the good of souls;
- Willingness to be obedient 鈥� ordained ministers must embrace a life of cooperation听with those who have authority over them; they must show that their ministry is an extension听of that of their bishop, and ultimately of Christ himself, the Good Shepherd.
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