Am I worthy?Fr. Joe recorded this video when he was the Director of the Office for Priestly Vocations, and his answer is as true today as it was when he first recorded it.

Seminary is a time of continuous personal growth and development of a man for a time of formal discernment with the assistance of priests and formators.  It is a program focused on the whole man in the context of the four areas: Human, Pastoral, Intellectual, and Spiritual growth. 

The time spent in seminary differs from person to person. Men who enter for the Diocese of Pittsburgh first spend time at Saint Paul Seminary while studying philosophy at Franciscan University. Depending on your previous educational background, the typical timeframe is two to four years. After this period, men move on to theological studies for four years. Men studying for the diocese are also asked to spend a year in a parish assigned by the Bishop for pastoral experience. 

Thanks to the generosity of the faithful, the cost of seminary education is taken care of by the Diocese of Pittsburgh for those who enter with a college degree. For those entering without a college degree, we recomend reaching out to the vocation director to discuss your specific situation. 

While both minor and major seminary are times of formation and discernment, there are differences between the two. In minor seminary, you are asked to study philosphy and discern in a deeper way your vocation. In major seminary, you are asked to study theology while more formally preparing for ordination to diocesan priesthood. As a man advances in seminary formation, the expectation remains that he continiously grows in all four pillars of formation.

What is Seminary LikeFr. Joe is a past Director of the Office of Priestly Vocations.  This video was made while he was in that office.

A Seminarian's day is focused on the Liturgy of the Church. Seminarians pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer together, have daily Mass, as well as spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. During the day, seminarians travel to Franciscan University of Steubenville to take their classes or they are sent out to do pastoral work in the immediate area. Meals are eaten in common in our refectory. In the evening, seminarians have time to study, do homework, pray or enjoy relaxing and fellowship with one another. 

Contact the vocation director if you are interested in applying and he will be happy to work with you on getting your application in on time.