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Vocations Office

Will you answer God's call? 

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  • Home
  • FAQ
  • Discernment
  • Events
      • Happing in the Diocese
      • High School
      • College
      • Young Adult
      • Catholic Kennywood Day
  • St. Paul Seminary
  • Meet the Men
  • Resources and Flyers
  • 31 Club
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • Am I worthy?
      • Hear Fr. Joe Freedy's answer to this question by clicking the button

        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.

    • What is the point of a seminary?
      • 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. 

    • How long is seminary?
      • 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. 

    • How much will entering the seminary cost?
      • 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. 

    • What is the difference between a major and a minor seminary?
      • 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 Like?
      • Fr. Joe Freedy provides and answer in this video

        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.

    • What is a typical day like at Saint Paul Seminary?
      • 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. 

    • When should I apply to the seminary?
      • 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. 

    • How do I apply to the seminary?
      • When a man expresses interest in entering the Formation Program for the Diocese, he will receive an application to be completed for acceptance. The application includes writing a short autobiography, gathering academic transcripts, recomendation letters, completing a physical and having a psychological exam done. Though it may seem like a lot, the formation team will work with you to complete the application and assist you in anything that you may need. 
    • How do I contact the Vocation Director?
        • Click Here to Contact Us
Fr. Ken Marlovits, Vocation Director
2900 Noblestown Rd | Pittsburgh, PA 15205
[email protected]
(412) 456-3123
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