How to become a priest or a nun

Becoming a Catholic nun is a lengthy process that requires both a “calling” to serve God, and also much time to consider one’s choice. There are numerous orders of nuns, each with different missions. Those who do not work in the outside world are more traditionally called a nun, while those who work outside of the convent, and are not cloistered are called a sister.
Since there are numerous orders, one should choose one that best fits with one’s ideals about how to serve God. Some women wish to be a nun to retire from the public arena and to serve God in a contemplative way. Other women wish to be active in the world. Some of the best known nuns are those with an extraordinary activist stance, like the deceased Mother Theresa, or Sister Helen Prejean who is a tireless advocate for abolishing the death penalty.

Becoming a Catholic priest  is much like studying for any other vocation. Participation in studies to become a priest does not obligate one to finally be a priest any more than going to law school means one must become a lawyer. Usually to become a priest, one must fulfill many requirements.
The first requirement to become a priest is that one must be male and unmarried. There are actually a few married priests, who were formerly Episcopalian ministers who converted to Catholicism. Because they were previously married, they were not asked to take the vow of chastity. However this is a very rare exception, and normally a married man would not be allowed as a candidate for the priesthood. A married man may become a church deacon and so help the church, but he is often required to promise not to remarry should his wife predecease him.

I know a few priest that are no longer with us at St. V, Fr. Mark, Fr. Joe, and Fr. Jason. Our newly priest is Fr. Andrew! We are soooo very luky to have someone that is good with kids and is kind and is thoughtful. I am so happy that Fr. Andrew had the calling to be in the priesthood! Thank you Fr. Andrew!

Fr. Andrew Budzinski