How to Join the Catholic Priesthood: Requirements & Steps

Becoming a Catholic priest is a serious decision. If you feel God's calling and believe that a life of celibacy and devotion to God is for you, this may be the path you are meant to take. For this article, we spoke to a Catholic priest to learn how to become a member of the priesthood. Below, we also share tips on preparing for this vocation, how long it takes to become a priest, and more.

How do you become a Catholic priest?

Catholic priest Fr. Scott Bailey says the first step to becoming a Catholic priest is fulfilling the basic requirements, including being a man, a practicing Catholic, and at least 25 years old. Below are the other steps to the priesthood:

Speak with your diocese's vocations director to begin discernment.
Apply to seminaries recommended by your vocations director.
Obtain a Master's of Divinity while attending seminary.
Become ordained as a deacon and start ministering.
Complete your formation and take vows for the priesthood.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Become a Catholic Priest

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Meet the basic requirements. In the Roman Catholic Church, a priest must be male and unmarried, says Fr. Bailey. Additionally, you must be a minimum of 25 years old and a practicing Catholic.^{[1]
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Fr. Scott Bailey
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- The Catholic Church does not set a maximum age for ordination. However, specific dioceses and religious communities do not accept applicants above a certain age. When there is a limit, it's usually anywhere from 40 to 55 years old.^{[2]
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- Widowers are accepted, but typically not within a year or two of the spouse's death. Divorcées must apply for annulment. Some Eastern Catholic Churches have different regulations and ordain married men, and (rarely) a married man ordained in another Christian community may convert and become a Catholic priest.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Fr. Scott Bailey is a Catholic priest and the pastor at Risen Christ Catholic Parish in Denver, CO. He's known for making Catholic teachings and spirituality accessible to everyone.
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Speak with your diocese's vocations director to begin discernment. Each diocese has a vocations or spiritual director "whose job is to start vetting candidates [for the priesthood] and finding out where they are in the discernment process," says Fr. Bailey. Discernment, also known as the propaedeutic year, is also "a time of prayer," he adds, as well as a great time to decide if becoming a priest is truly what God is calling you to do.^{[3]
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Fr. Scott Bailey
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- A diocese is a geographic area overseen by a bishop.
- A vocation is your calling in life. Everyone has a universal call to be holy, but it's different for each person. Vocations include religious life, priesthood, single life, and marriage.
- Discernment is the lengthy process of figuring out God's will through prayer and spiritual direction. It takes a lot of patience!
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Apply to seminaries recommended by your vocations director. A seminary is a faith-based school that teaches its students (called seminarians) theology and how to minister in different areas of religious life.^{[4]
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Research source} Your vocations director can recommend seminaries where they think you'll be a good fit, and they'll also let you know what documents you need to submit to apply.
- Every seminary has a different application process. According to Fr. Bailey, a typical seminary application process "involves a long interview, essays, letters of recommendation, and a psychological evaluation."^{[5]
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- You don't need to be 100% certain about your vocation to enter the seminary. You can always change your mind about becoming a priest and still get your degree.
  - If you decide not to become a priest, use your seminary degree to teach in schools, work for a non-profit, or help people as a social worker.
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Obtain a Master's of Divinity while attending seminary. Program length varies based on prior education and the amount of time you can devote to it. Fr. Bailey says that a typical seminarian enrolls in 1-4 years of undergraduate philosophy and 4 years of graduate-level theology.^{[6]
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Fr. Scott Bailey
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Expert Interview} The goal is to get a Master's in Divinity. During these years, you'll study philosophy, Latin, Greek, Gregorian chants, dogmatic and moral theology, exegesis, canon law, and church history, just to get you started.^{[7]
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- You will also attend retreats, conferences, and workshops as regular aspects of your training. You'll be guided on meditation and solitude, and be given adequate time to hone your public speaking skills.
- The seminary process can take 4-6 years, depending on whether you already have a Bachelor's degree or not. It can take longer if you're unable to attend full-time.
After completing seminary (or sometimes in the last year before graduation), the bishop in your diocese may call you to Holy Orders and ordain you as a deacon.^{[8]
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Fr. Scott Bailey
Catholic Priest

Expert Interview}
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Complete your formation and take vows for the priesthood. After serving as a deacon for at least 6 months, your diocese's bishop will determine if you've completed your formation and can join the priesthood. Formation refers to gathering knowledge and experience in academics, ministry, spirituality, and maturity. If he decides you're ready, you can take your vows and fulfill your ambition of becoming a priest. Below are the two most popular types of priesthoods you can join in the Roman Catholic Church:^{[10]
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- Diocesan priests serve the bishop of their geographic area. This order includes parish priests, chaplains, and religious teachers, among others. They promise chastity and obedience.
- Religious priests join the global community of a religious order or congregation, such as the Benedictines or Franciscans. These priests pursue a specific mission or tradition, such as helping the poor. They also take vows of poverty, as well as obedience and chastity.

Section 2 of 5:

Tips for Preparing to Become a Priest

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Get involved with the community in your parish. Before you apply for college or seminary, it's a good idea to start helping out at your parish. As a practicing Catholic in good standing, it will be easier for you to enter the priesthood, and you'll also get a better idea of what being a priest is like in real life.
- Offer your services to your priest. Tell him your interest in joining the seminary and see if you can assist him during services, or accompany him when he visits sick members of the church or participates in area activities.
- Develop relationships with your parish's clergy. This will help you better understand a priest's duties to his flock.
- Participate in Mass and help out with singing and reading. Gaining a thorough knowledge of the books and hymnal will give you a strong foundation for your journey to the priesthood.
Tip: Joining pastoral groups such as Emmaus or Samuel could be an excellent way to help you discern your vocation.
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Assess your religious beliefs and your life goals before committing. Becoming a priest is not a decision to take lightly. It's a path that takes years to complete and is not for the faint of heart or belief. If you have any religious doubts or see yourself wanting to do anything else with your life further down the road, the priesthood may not be for you. Try these strategies to help you make your decision:
- Pray to God for His help in discerning your calling in life. Additionally, ask for advice from trusted mentors, including priests, parents, and teachers.
Tip: Participating as an altar server and assisting the celebrating priest with whatever is needed may help you discern your vocation.
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Attend college and get a bachelor's degree before entering seminary. A bachelor's degree typically makes it easier to enter seminary and reduces the length of your studies by a couple of years.^{[11]
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Research source} A degree in philosophy or theology prepares you best, but a degree in any subject can demonstrate your dedication and ability.
- Get involved in your campus's Catholic ministry. Use this time to attend retreats, help other students, and connect with your new parish or diocese.

Section 3 of 5:

How long does it take to become a priest?

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According to Fr. Bailey, you should expect to put in about 6 or 7 years of hard work if you want to become a priest. This includes 1 year spent in discernment, 4-6 years at seminary, and the 6 months you worked as a deacon.^{[12]
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Fr. Scott Bailey
Catholic Priest

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Section 4 of 5:

What salary does a Catholic priest get?

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This annual salary comes out to about $18 per hour. Their paychecks typically go toward basic personal expenses, such as rent, utilities, groceries, and clothing.^{[13]
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Section 5 of 5:

Should you become a Catholic priest?

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Being a priest may be right for you if you wish to dedicate your life to God. If you love God, can't see yourself doing anything else in life, and feel confident that you can keep vows of chastity and obedience to the Church, then the priesthood might be your vocation! It also helps if you have a desire to help the members of your community and make the world a better place. Below are some reasons you might not want to join:
- To escape your past or problems in the present: Deal with your issues first, then assess whether your heart's desire truly lies with the Church.
- If you don't think you can remain celibate: If you think you would have a really hard time refraining from having sex, it might be better to find a different vocation. Sex isn't inherently a sin, but Roman Catholic priests are prohibited from doing it.

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How can I enter the seminary?

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The best way to enter the seminary is to contact your local diocesan vocations director or the vocations director of the order you wish to join. He will meet with you and give you more information about the steps you are about to take. He can also help you through the process of filling out an application. You may need at least one recommendation from another priest, usually your pastor. But prayer and spiritual direction are also very important.

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How do I become an exorcist priest?

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To become an exorcist, you must be a Roman Catholic priest already, and you must have permission from your bishop to join the International Association of Exorcists.

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Can an ex drug addict become a priest?

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God chooses the most atypical people to be his prophets. If this is what you want to do, and feel God calling you to the priesthood, you will find your way.

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You may suspect you are called to the priesthood shortly after converting to Catholicism. This is not uncommon, but talk with mentors in your church about this possible vocation before committing.

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