Diocesan Priesthood
Have You Ever Thought Of Giving Yourself To The Church As A Priest?
He is one through whom new members are baptized into the fullness of the life of the Church.
He is one who brings comfort to the widow, who visits the sick and who counsels the youth with their problems.
He is the leader in the community who works together with his people to build up the family of God.
He is the one who invites the community of believers to live as one Eucharistic people, proclaiming and living out the Word of God.
He is one who brings God's compassion and forgiveness of sins to the people.
He is the one who blesses the bonds of marriage for those who are called to begin a new Christian family.
He is the co-worker with Jesus who cares for people of God by teaching and preaching the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments, and selfless service of the people.
An applicant:
- Must be a fully initiated Roman Catholic who practices his faith and demonstrates a good, Christian moral lifestyle.
- Must have good psychological, physical, and spiritual health
- Needs to have the ability to complete a regular college program
- Needs to believe that he is called to serve the people of God in the Diocese of Norwich
An applicant should give evidence of:
- A personal relationship with Jesus Christ
- A regular life of personal and communal prayer
- A personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through regular attendance at and participation in the Eucharist
- An open and flexible attitude
- Being well-rounded and having achieved a level of psycho-sexual development appropriate to his age
- The ability to relate to a wide variety of people, e.g., adult women and men, the elderly, youth and children
- Having developed healthy relationships with family and friends; not being a "loner"
- A sense of humor and ability to be self-critical and self-reflective in an honest manner
- Leadership ability through personal initiative, achievement, service
- Ability to work cooperatively with others (i.e., ability to collaborate)
- Ability to listen to others with care
- Ability to be compassionate and empathize
- Willingness and ability to take care of one's own physical, mental, and emotional health
- A person who has lived a celibate life for three years prior to application
- Must be a practicing Roman Catholic for at least 5 years
A vocation is a gift of one's self to God and to God's people