What is a Diocesan Priest?
A diocesan priest lives and ministers in a particular geographic area called a diocese, which is governed by a bishop. He does not belong to a religious community or order. He lives celibately and promises obedience to the bishop. Through ordained ministry, a priest proclaims God's word and celebrates the sacraments.
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What is a Religious Priest?
A religious priest (such as Dominican, Franciscan, or Jesuit) is one who is a member of a religious community in the same way that brothers and sisters belong to a particular religious community. Unlike the brother or sister, he can administer sacraments as an ordained minister. He is not, as such, a minister of a particular diocese but can be involved in a variety of ministries in many difference places.
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What is a Deacon?
There are three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders - Bishop, Priest and Deacon. Deacons are ordained by the laying on of hands not for the priesthood but for ministry. A Deacon assists the Bishop or Priest in the Liturgy, especially in the reading of the Gospel and the distribution of Communion. A Deacon may celebrate Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals, and may assist in works of charity.
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What is a Transitional Deacon?
A Transitional Deacon is ordained to the ministry for a period prior to Ordination in the Priesthood.
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What is a Permanent Deacon?
A Permanent Deacon is (usually) a married man of mature years who, after a period of part-time study, is Ordained as a Deacon and serves the Bishop and a local parish. Currently there are six Permanent Deacons in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
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What is Vocation?
Through the sacrament of Baptism, each person receives "a call" or vocation. All are called to holiness and to serve. This call can be lived out in a variety of ways - as a married or single person, or as a priest, bother or sister.
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What is a Religious?
Since all the baptised share a common relationship with God, all are called to be 'religious' or holy in the broad sense of the word. Some men and women, however, choose to live a particular lifestyle called religious life. These people join a community of people that follows a specific tradition or spirituality patterned after the life and teaching of the founder of that community. Many religious profess vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.
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What is a Sister?
A sister is a woman who is a member of a particular religious community, lives the vows and is involved in serving others.
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What is a Brother?
A brother is a male member of a religious community. He, too, professes vows and is involved in a variety of ministries, although he does not administer sacraments as an ordained minister.
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What is a Novice?
The word novice means 'new'. This is the first stage for someone who is joining a religious community. Novitiate is the name given to the process as well as the place where novices live.
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What is a Seminarian?
A seminarian is training to be a priest. The seminary is a place where seminarians live and study.
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How do orders of religious differ from one another?
Religious communities arose in response to the needs of their times. Founders sought ways of translating the message of Jesus into the daily life and language of their society. Each congregation has its own particular tradition/spirit that distinguishes it from other orders. All orders share a common concern of proclaiming the Gospel message in a language that will be heard in today's world. Consequently, religious orders are not static, but by their nature are dynamic and evolving, seeking new ways of announcing the Kingdom of God.
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Diocesan priesthood: What is required to go to the seminary?
Normally a person has to be at least 19 years old, and to have passed his HSC. For older students, HSC may not be necessary, but proof of his ability to handle tertiary study is required.
A man considering priesthood has to be open to God and to others so that the seminary's formation in spirituality and pastoral practice can be effective.
Usually, he goes through some program arranged by the Vocation Director acquainting him with what is expected in priesthood, as well as meeting different members of the seminary staff and getting some idea of seminary life.
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What do you do in the Seminary?
There are four main areas of development in our preparation for the priesthood. They are personal growth, spiritual growth, study and pastoral practice.
- Each seminarian is expected to continue to develop as a person in his understanding of himself and his relationships. Maturity is a difficult word to define, but it is obviously a requirement of a priest, and the seminary formation of a priest, and the seminary formation aims to foster development in maturity.
- Spiritual growth involves the study of prayer and the development of our relationship with God. It covers both private and public prayer. Much of it is covered on an individual basis by discussion with a spiritual director.
- Study at the seminary includes areas such as Philosophy, Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History, and Moral and Practical Theology. As a degree in theology can be gained at the end of the course, the studies are of tertiary institute standard.
- Pastoral practice is developed in supervised programs covering different aspects of parish life, e.g. visiting families, youth ministry, RCIA, liturgy, ministering to sick and elderly. Normally, this includes one year of seminary training living and working full time in a parish. Usually towards the end of the seminary formation, practice in celebrating sacraments is included. Public speaking is incorporated throughout our time in the seminary.
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Is Seminary life hard?
It depends on what you call hard! It is a very full life with the usual demands of study as well as the added dimension of developing as a man of prayer. However, it has its enjoyment's in living in a community of people sharing similar ideals as well as other activities such as putting on plays and sports. Seminarians have holidays similar to other tertiary students. During these holiday times, they are free to take on part-time or casual employment, to travel or to engage in activities that keep them in touch with people and life.
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Does a Diocesan Priest make vows?
A diocesan priest doesn't make vows. He promises a commitment to celibacy and obedience to his bishop when he becomes a deacon. He does not take a vow of poverty, but a diocesan priest receives a minimal salary enabling him to pay for his living expenses. Along with all committed Christians he is challenged to live simply.
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What does celibacy mean?
Celibacy means choosing to love and serve God and being single minded in serving the People of God. Celibacy is something a priest freely embraces as a sacrifice he makes for the sake of Christ.
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Are you ever attracted to someone of the opposite sex?
Yes, we are. Nothing happens at the time of entering the seminary that eliminates normal human needs, feelings or desires. Because we are human there will always be that attraction to other people.
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Do you ever wonder about marriage and children?
Yes, it's only natural that at times priests, brothers and sisters consider the happiness of family life. However, we recognise also the value and happiness of our own life style, and make a free choice to remain celibate.
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Do you ever get lonely?
Yes. As in any way of life, there are times of loneliness for priests and religious.
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Do you have to be a virgin to join?
No. A person's past life is not the main concern. The question is: Am I willing and able now to live and love as a celibate person in the service of others?
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I find it difficult to pray ... do you?
Yes! Prayer is communication with God, and just like communication in any human relationship, there are times when it's easy and satisfying, and other times when it's a struggle. Prayer is vital if our relationship with God is going to continue and grow. There are times when prayer comes easily, and other times when we just don't feel like praying, or find it really difficult to make time and space for it. However, because we are convinced of our deep need for God, we keep trying to pray no matter how we feel. We know that God loves us, and understands who we are and how we are. We know too that, through prayer, we can become more sensitive to God's activity in the people, events and circumstances of our daily lives.
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