What education do you need to become a priest?

Career Information at a Glance

What age can you enter seminary?

Admission requirements for the seminary vary by diocese and religious order. In most cases, accepted applicants are between the ages of 17 and 55 years old. A criminal background check, medical examination and psychological screening are typically required.

What are the requirements to go to seminary?

Seminary Academic Requirements

• An undergraduate degree or its equivalent from a recognized accredited university, college, or Bible college.
• At least 30 hours of liberal arts & science at the undergraduate level.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credits of study.

Do you get paid to be a priest?

The average salary for members of the clergy including priests is $53,290 per year. The top 10\% earn more than $85,040 per year and the bottom 10\% earn $26,160 or less per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many churches value being frugal and modest, so pay for priests can be fairly low.

How do I join the priesthood?

Become ordained. After you complete seminary, a bishop can ordain you into the Catholic ministry. You will first serve as a deacon for at least six months. After this service, you may be ordained as a diocesan priest serving a parish or other local area; or take vows and live in a religious community.

What are the stages of priesthood?

Formation is developed through four aspects: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. Each seminarian is formed and prepared for the priesthood via coursework and study, field education, spiritual direction, retreats, workshops and living in community with one another.