How To Become a Catholic Priest in 2025

Becoming a Catholic priest is a calling that many individuals involved with the Catholic Church may feel drawn to. Several steps are necessary before a Catholic priest can be officially ordained. For example, Catholic seminary training is an integral part of these steps, in addition to other educational and experiential requirements.

We give you more details below on becoming an ordained Catholic priest.

Priest Responsibilities at the Catholic Church

Within the Catholic Church, priests play an incredibly important role in leading their religious communities. Priests are often described as shepherds of their flock, spiritually guiding the people who have trusted them and look to them for assistance on matters inside and sometimes outside the church.

Priests are generally responsible for upholding and completing duties related to the Catholic Church's seven sacraments. They may assist with baptism, marriage, confirmation, confessions, Holy Communion, holy orders, and anointing the sick.

Depending on the type of priest (diocesan or religious), priests may also visit the ill, become involved in religious education programs, provide pastoral care and guidance, serve as educators, or work as missionaries. In some cases, priests are cloistered in monasteries.

Religious Priests vs. Diocesan Priests

Though ''priest'' is often used to refer to all types of priests within the Catholic Church, there are significant differences between religious priests and diocesan priests in Catholicism.

Religious priests live within a community, or they may be cloistered. They dedicate their lives to the church and the Gospel, and they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They work closely with individuals and apostolates, those who work almost as missionaries in the community, to educate others about the word of Christ. Religious priests often belong to a specific religious order, such as the Franciscans or the Jesuits.

On the other hand, diocesan priests belong to a specific diocese or a territory within a community. This is different from belonging to and living in a religious community and potentially being cloistered. Diocesan priests may live alone or with other priests, and they take a vow to live a life of simplicity alongside vows of obedience and celibacy. A diocesan priest will often serve under one diocese throughout their time as a priest, and they may act as parish priests, traveling to different parishes to complete their duties.

For many, the diocesan priesthood is what they choose when they feel the calling to serve God and follow their spiritual direction.

Steps To Become a Catholic Priest

If you are interested in becoming a Catholic priest, you must follow the required steps. These steps are required to help you understand more about the Catholic Church's teachings and requirements, in addition to letting you figure out if you are prepared for this life-long commitment.

1. Follow Christ-Centered Teachings

The initial step in becoming a Catholic priest involves having strong religious faith and a calling to dedicate your life to the priesthood. This is a life-long commitment, and it may take up to 10 years before you are eligible to be officially ordained. Men who follow Christ-centered teachings and are interested in further dedicating their lives to the gospel are highly encouraged to speak to their local Catholic priest to understand more about their calling, in addition to learning more about religious life and enrolling in pre-theology degree studies.

2. Understand Church Requirements and Morals

The Catholic Church requires that all priests be male; women are ineligible for this position. Additionally, most dioceses require that individuals have at least a high school diploma or GED certification and that the priest candidate is psychologically and physically fit.

Priests will be required to take vows of celibacy, chastity, and obedience, in addition to upholding the Catholic Church's morals. A deep understanding of these vows is essential. Some dioceses recommend one year or more of reflection before proceeding.

3. Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Many dioceses and religious orders require that individuals have at least a bachelor's degree in a religious discipline. This is part of the postsecondary education and experience that many dioceses require before individuals are eligible for attending seminary or while they are enrolled in a college seminary program.

Degree choices may include studies in theology, religious studies, biblical studies, and philosophy. Additionally, interested priest candidates could enroll in affordable online theology degree programs to make their studies more flexible and accessible financially.

4. Attend Seminary

Attending seminary is the longest part of the process of becoming a Catholic priest. Depending on diocese or religious order requirements, the process of seminary could take between six and 10 years. At seminary, priest candidates, known as seminarians, will dedicate themselves to studying the gospel, gaining experience in religious studies, learning their expected priest duties, and reflecting on their own calling to determine if the commitment to priesthood is right for them.

A part of why the seminary process is so lengthy is to truly give priest candidates the time they need to evaluate their calling and the expectations of their life-long commitment to the Catholic Church.

5. Rite of Ordination

The rite of ordination is the final step necessary for an individual to become a priest. This rite has significant historical ties within the Catholic Church and typically takes place during a Catholic Mass. During this process, the priest candidate is called by the ordaining bishop overseeing the Mass. They are presented at the Mass, accept their vows, and complete a few other ritual steps, such as the anointing of the hands and presentation of gifts.

The rite of ordination ends with the newly ordained priest giving his first priestly blessing, followed by a procession at the end of Mass and a reception to celebrate.

Understanding People of God and Religious Order in the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church teaches that there is only one God and that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God. The Holy Trinity is important in Catholic teachings, and it includes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Additionally, Catholicism teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin and that the only way to reach Heaven is through salvation through the Catholic Church.

Individuals who practice Catholicism follow the ten commandments and complete basic requirements such as:

• attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days
• fasting and abstaining on specific days
• confessing sins at least once a year
• receiving Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist) on Easter
• contributing and tithing to the support of the Catholic Church

Individuals may practice their faith in many ways, and some may be more strict about it than others.

Roles in the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has several roles. The highest is the pope, who is seen as the head of the Church on Earth. Pope Francis is the current pope.

Cardinals are the second-highest ranking. These are bishops who have been given a special designation by the pope to be the next acting pope; they are eligible to vote in papal elections.

Bishops are below cardinals and the pope, and a bishop will generally oversee a specific diocese, which is a specific geographic area. Priests within the Catholic Church work underneath the bishop and travel to different parishes within the diocese to complete their priestly duties.

Deacons also exist in a specific diocese, and these individuals may assist the bishop or a priest. Deacons are often individuals who are on their way to becoming ordained Catholic priests.

FAQs About Becoming a Catholic Priest

Our answers to the following frequently asked questions can help you understand more about becoming a Catholic priest.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Catholic Priest?

Becoming a Catholic priest is not a short process, and potential priests must complete some religious studies and general high school education before the seminary application process. During seminary, priest candidates may take between six and 10 years of study to complete their studies and become officially ordained.

How Much Does a Catholic Priest Make?

The income of a Catholic priest varies greatly depending on the diocese, years of practice, and level within the Catholic Church. According to America: The Jesuit Review, most priests make around $20,000 when they start their duties, but they may earn around $50,000 a year once they gain experience. For example, the Archdiocese of Kansas in Kansas City pays their priests around $32,649.64 a year.

Bishops and higher-ranking Catholic Church officials may earn $80,000 to $100,000 or more annually.

When Does the Ordination Actually Take Place?

Ordination of a new priest takes place when a priest candidate has completed all of their college, seminary, and study requirements. These requirements may vary in length and duty depending on the person, their calling, and the diocese's process for accepting and ordaining new priests.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees in Theology

Following your calling to become a Catholic priest is an admirable cause. An online bachelor's degree in theology can help you pursue your calling and educate you further about religious beliefs. Learn.org has plenty of information on colleges that can provide you with the religious studies or theology degree you might need when starting this process.