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Aaron: Frequently Asked Questions Why priesthood? After high school I put a lot of thought into what I would like to do with the rest of my life. At first I had chosen four different careers that I thought would suit me best: full-time military or law enforcement, medical doctor, professional acting, and music education. For three years I pondered these choices, meanwhile working full-time at various jobs and dating along the way. During the third year, after my best friend moved away to pursue different things for her own life, I decided I had better make a decision to go to college. About that same time I returned to practicing my faith with sincerity, going to confession for the first time in almost three years, attending daily mass when I could, and re-mending my relationship with my family. It was at this point that God began to send me subtle signs, calling me to priesthood. Though I was begging big sign, God would only show me the little ones, hoping that I would accept the will of the Father over my own. In the middle of winter '98-99 I made the decision to go to college to become a music teacher, but something felt unsettled in choosing so. Within a week, after much agonizing reflection, I came to realize that God had been preparing me for many years, since my early childhood, to follow Christ in a very unique way. This was difficult for me to accept, but when one knows that they have the option of either following God's plan for them or to say no, it is better to gamble on God's side and not the world's. So, I swallowed my pride and acknowledged God's call within me, knowing that the sacrifice ahead would likely be long and arduous, but not without enduring happiness. It is not easy to accept that God has a plan for each of us; in fact, the world tells us that we are the makers of our own destiny. However, in Christ we find greater happiness in the end. I say, choose God. For me, Priesthood fulfills the desires of my heart as only God knows how. A priest is all of my dream careers rolled into one. He is a doctor of souls, a chaplain for local police, a town celebrity, and his potential for involvement with music and teaching is ever-present. He is the spiritual father to many and, like Joseph was to Mary, a spouse to the church. In all ways that my heart desires, I will be fulfilled by God, though not in the way that I had first supposed. What did your family say? My family was very supportive. -- Together, we had lived our faith well, and for one of us to decide to pursue God further, in a more personal way, was not a surprise. My parents were so excited that they had a hard time sleeping that night; instead they sat up talking to each other all night long. (youthfully romantic in its own way). My brother and sister have both been great friends to me, especially as they have come to understand God's call in their own lives as well. God draws His children together to support each other, especially those who are willing to follow Him along difficult journeys. What does it take to become a priest? God calls men to be priests in mysterious ways, each man's story is different, but once one has decided to pursue priesthood the process of education is almost always the same. First, he must have a solid foundation of college philosophy (about 30 credits), which can be done either while earning a four-year degree, or in a two year program for those who have already graduated from college. After Philosophy follows a degree in Theology, usually the equivalent of a Masters Degree. In total, it is about an eight year program, most of which is spent in a formation program called seminary. At seminary, along with Theology, he learns about the life of a priest and how he might conform himself to that lifestyle. The Church and the seminarian work together to prayerfully discern whether or not God is really calling him to priesthood. All in all, seminary is a place that gives men the opportunity to become solid men of faith. Whether or not a man becomes a priest in the end, hopefully he will be a better man for the whole world. Don't you want to get married and have a family? Yes, in many ways I do, but sometimes God asks people to follow Him in ways that involve certain sacrifices. Each of the twelve disciples gave up their regular lives to follow Jesus. In the same way, I feel God has called me to do the same. In reality, a priest is called father for a reason, namely, that he is the spiritual father to all he meets, catholics and non-catholics alike. Though it seems foreign to us that someone would choose to not get married, it has worked for 2000 years, and there is no reason God would ask a man to do it today if it were not still possible. What is it like to study in Italy? La vita bella. There is probably no greater experience of the Catholic Church in its universality and diversity than in the city of Rome . It is a city bathed in the blood of martyrs, rebuilt seven times over, religiously based on the rock of Peter, and full of over 300+ Catholic churches. There a only a few places in the world where one can see buildings that have been standing (and are still being used) for over two millennium. Italy is a land of great wines and delectable foods. The education is European through and through, with one oral exam at the end of the semester that counts for the full grade of a class (so it pays to be attentive in the lecture).

Aaron: Frequently Asked Questions

Why priesthood?

After high school I put a lot of thought into what I would like to do with the rest of my life. At first I had chosen four different careers that I thought would suit me best: full-time military or law enforcement, medical doctor, professional acting, and music education.

For three years I pondered these choices, meanwhile working full-time at various jobs and dating along the way. During the third year, after my best friend moved away to pursue different things for her own life, I decided I had better make a decision to go to college. About that same time I returned to practicing my faith with sincerity, going to confession for the first time in almost three years, attending daily mass when I could, and re-mending my relationship with my family. It was at this point that God began to send me subtle signs, calling me to priesthood. Though I was begging big sign, God would only show me the little ones, hoping that I would accept the will of the Father over my own.

In the middle of winter '98-99 I made the decision to go to college to become a music teacher, but something felt unsettled in choosing so. Within a week, after much agonizing reflection, I came to realize that God had been preparing me for many years, since my early childhood, to follow Christ in a very unique way. This was difficult for me to accept, but when one knows that they have the option of either following God's plan for them or to say no, it is better to gamble on God's side and not the world's. So, I swallowed my pride and acknowledged God's call within me, knowing that the sacrifice ahead would likely be long and arduous, but not without enduring happiness.

It is not easy to accept that God has a plan for each of us; in fact, the world tells us that we are the makers of our own destiny. However, in Christ we find greater happiness in the end. I say, choose God.

For me, Priesthood fulfills the desires of my heart as only God knows how. A priest is all of my dream careers rolled into one. He is a doctor of souls, a chaplain for local police, a town celebrity, and his potential for involvement with music and teaching is ever-present. He is the spiritual father to many and, like Joseph was to Mary, a spouse to the church. In all ways that my heart desires, I will be fulfilled by God, though not in the way that I had first supposed.

What did your family say?

My family was very supportive. -- Together, we had lived our faith well, and for one of us to decide to pursue God further, in a more personal way, was not a surprise. My parents were so excited that they had a hard time sleeping that night; instead they sat up talking to each other all night long. (youthfully romantic in its own way). My brother and sister have both been great friends to me, especially as they have come to understand God's call in their own lives as well. God draws His children together to support each other, especially those who are willing to follow Him along difficult journeys.

What does it take to become a priest?

God calls men to be priests in mysterious ways, each man's story is different, but once one has decided to pursue priesthood the process of education is almost always the same. First, he must have a solid foundation of college philosophy (about 30 credits), which can be done either while earning a four-year degree, or in a two year program for those who have already graduated from college. After Philosophy follows a degree in Theology, usually the equivalent of a Masters Degree. In total, it is about an eight year program, most of which is spent in a formation program called seminary. At seminary, along with Theology, he learns about the life of a priest and how he might conform himself to that lifestyle.

The Church and the seminarian work together to prayerfully discern whether or not God is really calling him to priesthood. All in all, seminary is a place that gives men the opportunity to become solid men of faith. Whether or not a man becomes a priest in the end, hopefully he will be a better man for the whole world.

Don't you want to get married and have a family?

Yes, in many ways I do, but sometimes God asks people to follow Him in ways that involve certain sacrifices. Each of the twelve disciples gave up their regular lives to follow Jesus. In the same way, I feel God has called me to do the same. In reality, a priest is called father for a reason, namely, that he is the spiritual father to all he meets, catholics and non-catholics alike. Though it seems foreign to us that someone would choose to not get married, it has worked for 2000 years, and there is no reason God would ask a man to do it today if it were not still possible.

What is it like to study in Italy?

La vita bella. There is probably no greater experience of the Catholic Church in its universality and diversity than in the city of Rome . It is a city bathed in the blood of martyrs, rebuilt seven times over, religiously based on the rock of Peter, and full of over 300+ Catholic churches. There a only a few places in the world where one can see buildings that have been standing (and are still being used) for over two millennium.

Italy is a land of great wines and delectable foods. The education is European through and through, with one oral exam at the end of the semester that counts for the full grade of a class (so it pays to be attentive in the lecture).