Steps to becoming Ordained Priest
A man called to priesthood in the Diocese of Pueblo will:
1. Be a man of conviction, rooted in prayer.
2. Be a man between the ages of 18 and 45 living out his baptismal call of discipleship.
3. Be well thought of and respected by his peers and fellow parishioners. He will have
the support of his pastor and other pastoral staff members. Be actively involved in
his parish beyond Sunday worship.
4. Have a healthy and clear understanding of our Catholic faith life and Church.
5. Be open to learning and accepting new challenges.
6. Be a people-oriented person who shows compassion and empathy toward others.
7. Show the ability to lead others to Christ through his preaching, teaching and living of
the Gospel.
8. Be in sound physical and mental health.
A man applying to the Diocese of Pueblo to become a seminarian will:
1. At the direction of his parish priest, or member of the parish pastoral staff, meet with
the Vocation Director to discuss his interest in serving the diocesan church as a priest.
(719-544-9861 or 800-354-2729 ext. 116.
2. Begin vocation discernment regarding his call with someone that the Vocation Director
recommends.
3. Learn about the seminaries and other formation programs used by the Diocese of Pueblo.
(Options will vary given the applicant’s age and educational background. We do not
sponsor high school students in formal seminary programs.)
4. Complete the diocesan application process:
· a written and oral biographical sketch of the applicant;
· recommendations from parish priests, pastoral staff members, employers, peers,
family, school counselors and teachers.· A medical and psychological profile;
· Interviews with two members of the Seminary Formation Council.
5. On the recommendation of the Seminary Formation Council and approval of the Bishop,
apply to the appropriate seminary, as instructed by the Vocations Director.
A man accepted to study for priesthood in the Diocese of Pueblo will:
1. Complete his undergraduate degree at the seminary with at least a minor in philosophy.
(Those applicants who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree will spend two years in
a pre-theology program, designed to prepare them for graduate studies in theology.)
2. Complete five years of graduate studies in theology at the major seminary.
3. Following the second year of graduate studies in theology, spend one year as a “pastoral
year” completing:· One Clinical Pastoral Education unit at a hospital (ten to eleven weeks);
· Eight months of pastoral ministry in a parish within the Diocese of Pueblo;
· Study of the Spanish language and culture for six to eight weeks.
4. During the summer months following undergraduate (or pre-theology studies)
receive either a pastoral or academic assignment.
5. Continue the discernment process toward ordination.
6. Receive a positive recommendation for ordination from the Vocation Office and
the seminary faculty and staff.
A summary of other diocesan policies regarding seminary formation:
Seminarians are expected to take full, personal responsibility for the financing of their education. After using all scholarships, grants for tuition costs, the diocese will make a grant for up to 50% of tuition costs for college and up to 100% of tuition costs for pre-theology and theology. For room, board and books, the seminarian will use other scholarships, grant and federally insured student loans. Finally, he may receive a supplemental loan from the Diocese of Pueblo. If he is ordained, the diocese will pay off all loans taken out for seminary education. Seminarians are covered by diocesan health insurance. All seminarians receive a monthly stipend for personal use.
In order to meet the pastoral needs of the diocese, the seminarian is expected to develop an awareness of Hispanic culture and have a facility in the Spanish language. By the time he is ordained to priesthood
he should be able to read, write and converse in basic Spanish. However, the diocese realizes that not all students have equal gifts in learning another language.
It is the general policy of the Diocese of Pueblo that applicants for the priesthood be required to receive two general physical examinations, one at the time of initial application, and another before receiving the Order of Deacon. The purpose of these exams is to show the general health necessary to offer a life of priestly service to the Church. A person determined to have seriously debilitating or life-threatening illnesses will not be accepted as a seminarian or called to Holy Orders. Among other tests, the Diocese of Pueblo requires HIV testing at the time of initial application as well as before petitioning for the Order of Deacon.
(Please note: the policies written above are summaries. For a copy of the entire policy, contact the Vocations Office.)
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