Expert: Fr. Michael - 2/25/2004

Question
Hi,
I am a high school student contemplating joining the priesthood. I am especially excited by apologetics. Where can I find more information about the priesthood (or perhaps brotherhood or other religous vocations), and how fulfilling do you find the priesthood to be?

Thank you,
Matt Bachman

Answer
There is a list of traditional seminaries in the Traditional Directory at www.traditio.com/tradlib/masslat.txt.  If you are speaking of the New Order presbyterate, that I cannot recommend in any way.

Your next priority should be to get the best classical collegiate or university education possible as a basis for later theological studies.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen (1895-1979) was well known for his many scholarly books, radio and television appearances, and popular preaching.  While teaching at the Catholic University of America for nearly 25 years and dealing with students, he noted with deep concern what was happening in Catholic education and the fact that many young people were losing the faith since Vatican II (1962-1965).  His advice on higher education, given around 1967, was as prophetic as it was startling:

"You are better off going to a state school where you will have the chance to fight for your faith, than going to a modern Catholic university where you will have the new watered-down, modernist version of the faith spoon-fed to your unsuspecting minds, so that you will be apt to lose your faith."

Therefore, the best choice, when possible, is a conservative liberal arts college.  The best major is Classical Languages (Latin and Greek), which, in addition to giving the foundation for all secular and religious study, is usually one of the most conservative departments at an institution.

In addition to getting a thorough grounding in the classical
languages, you should emphasize philosophy (particularly classical and mediaeval philosophy), music (particularly early and classical music; knowledge of the organ is a plus), history (particularly ancient and mediaeval history), mathematics and the natural sciences, psychology and
social sciences (one must be careful here in choosing conservative courses), and oratory and rhetoric (sometimes called "Speech").

With that background, you will have a solid basis for
theological studies and give you other options, if the vocation is not confirmed.