I'm not a fan of using St. John Vianney as an example of "you don't have to be all that smart". About 10% of today's Trad priests could have passed the rigorous seminary training he had to undergo. Above-average intellectual capacity is definitely a must.
And the need for strong intellect is all the more important these days than perhaps in pre-Vatican II times. This requirement is out of charity ... for the priests and the souls who will be guided by him. If he doesn't have a very strong grasp of moral and dogmatic theology, he would be responsible for any harm he does.
I object very much to this idea of that you just have to be "pious" or "devout" in order to be a good priest, especially when sometimes piety masks the fact that the spirituality at the level of the intellect and the will don't run very deep. Pull the plug on the emotional inclinations and what's left is what contributes to the makeup of a priest.
If someone stayed away from others such as a monk or hermit, I think they could be a good priest without being all that smart. Joseph of Copertino.
I agree with Ladislaus. I've seen examples of those not completing seminary due to what I call as "spiritual immaturity" hiding under the cloak of piety. Of course I don't discount the fact that some of these problems are not unmasked until much later perhaps even after ordination. It's one of the main reasons why you can have 25-30 entering seminary every year but after about 6-7 years only 4-5 gets ordained each year.
Spiritual maturity and intelligence are two different things.
God bless you my brothers and sisters in Christ our Lord. My name is Matthew B. This is my first post. I love this awesome site! Thanks to the Mod Matthew.
I have a question. I have an overwhelming desire to become a Priest. I am 25 years old. I have a very long testimony (inside crazy Pentecostal/Protestant groups, 2 years at a Calvinist/Baptist Bible college & all kinds of other heretical experiences) but I was baptized a Catholic, and God has opened my eyes to the One True Faith. I have always wanted to be a man of God and serve in full time ministry... But now I strongly feel a vocation to sharing in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. I spend countless hours everyday studying the Faith and praying to the Lord to use me in His service. I understand the major crisis in the Church, and I cannot subject myself to ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ/heretical/blasphemous/COVID/Pachamama and whatever else. God removed me from the Bible College I was attending right before Covid, praise to the Holy Ghost, and I am completely opposed to all the evil going on.
I live in Canada and can't travel anywhere because I won't poison myself with abortion-tainted wickedness. I feel so burdened for souls everyday and for the Lord's love and glory. I really want to lay my life down for Him and for His sheep. I just don't know how yet. So I'm reaching out to you experts to help me! What must I do? Can I be a priest with the SSPX Resistance? I love Bp. Williamson and listen to his sermons all the time. I have experience in ministry and a lot of theological education already but I'm still learning and growing in everything Catholic.
Would love your help, thanks so much. I look forward to communicating with you all! In Christ our King, Matthew B.
Do much research on vocations and discerning them. You don't have to be a priest to serve our Lord, but it is definitely worth seeking, but not to be rushed into. You might find a priory of the SSPX or similar traditional group to live at to assist them all you can while you study the faith and consider vocations.
Topic: How Do I Become a Priest? (Read 4599 times)