Discernment
Discernment
Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what You want me to be and becoming that person.
— St. Therese of Lisieux
Welcome. Are you thinking about a priestly vocation? In each tab you will find resources to help you in your discernment.
We recommend that you keep a life of prayer and make use of the means of sanctification that God presents in your ordinary life, especially through the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. If you live close to one of our apostolates, you should introduce yourself to our priests and tell them you are discerning a vocation
Qualifications
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- 18 to 35 years of age, unmarried. We encourage a year or two of exercising responsibility after high school, whether through a good job or pursuing higher education. Acceptance of an applicant directly after high school is considered an exception rather than the norm.
- Strong sense of piety and sacrificial willingness to give oneself totally to our Lord Jesus Christ.
- A good reputation, moral aptitude, and intellectual ability.
- Good health and fitness. This includes a healthy body weight. If you are dependent upon medication for good physical, psychological, or emotional health please contact us before applying.
- High degree of fluency in English.
- High school diploma (or equivalent non-US studies). We do, however, recommend at least two years of college since experience in a good institution can increase the maturity and academic capabilities of a future seminarian.
- Be able to enter the Seminary debt-free. Outstanding debt must be resolved before entering the seminary.
We also have a frequently asked questions section for more specific doubts and in case you have a question that is not listed there, you can also contact us.
Visiting the Seminary
Schedule visit
Visits should be scheduled for a 3-4 day time period. Instructions and a calendar of available dates can be accessed HERE.
Prayers
ST. IGNATIUS – SUSCIPE ET SUME
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. You have given all to me. To You, Lord, I return it. All is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only Your love and Your grace. That is enough for me.
ST. IGNATIUS – PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY
Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to look for any reward, save that of knowing that I do your holy will.
PRAYER BY ST. FRANCIS
Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart. Give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and knowledge that I may carry out Your Holy and true command. Amen.
PRAYER BY BLESSED CHARLES DE FOUCAULD
Father, I abandon myself into your hands: do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures – I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it you you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.
PRAYER BY ST. AUGUSTINE
Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know Thee, and desire nothing save only Thee. Let me hate myself and love Thee. Let me do everything for the sake of Thee. Let me humble myself and exalt Thee. Let me think of nothing except Thee. Let me die to myself and live in Thee. Let me accept whatever happens as from Thee. Let me banish self and follow Thee, and ever desire to follow Thee. Let me fly from myself and take refuge in Thee, that I may deserve to be defended by Thee. Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee, and let me among those who are chosen by Thee. Let me distrust myself and put my trust in Thee. Let me be willing to obey for the sake of Thee. Let me cling to nothing save only to Thee, and let me be poor because of Thee. Look upon me, that I may love Thee. Call me that I may see Thee, and for ever enjoy Thee. Amen.
Recommended Books
Here are some good spiritual books that can assist you in your preparation and discernment.
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- The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
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- Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales
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- True Devotion to Mary by Saint Louis de Montfort
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- The Curé of Ars by Francis Trochu
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- Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard
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- Conversation with Christ by Peter Thomas Rohrbach
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- Way of Salvation and Perfection by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori
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- St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations by Fr. John Clark, OCD
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- Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade
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- The Sacrament of the Present Moment by Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade
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- The Spiritual Life of the Priest by Fr. M. Eugene Boylan, OCSO
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- The Eternal Priesthood by Henry Edward Cardinal Manning
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- The Priest is Not His Own by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
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- Daily short readings of the New Testament