Ordination is the Sacrament through which an individual is invested with the gift of ministering to the church. It sets the minister apart and gives him the power to preach God’s word and to minister through other sacraments such as marriage, baptism, confirmation, penance, and extreme unction. This Sacrament is given to deacons and priests. Only these people receive the sacrament of ordination. This sacrament also has its exigencies. Becoming ordained in the Roman Catholic Church is a choice which implies a life of celibacy and a consecration to the church.

Those who choose to follow the path towards the sacred priesthood, either as diocesan priests working under a diocese or religious priests belonging to a congregation or religious family would need to go through different stages of formation. The formation is intended to make them men who are well trained intellectually, physically and spiritually. Besides theological courses, candidates for the priesthood would need to study philosophical disciplines which would help them understand the way of the world, make them competent in addressing pertinent problems and capable of living a prophetic life within their social setting. Theology is one of the major courses that seminarians and religious aspiring for the celibate priesthood have to complete.

The journey towards the priesthood is long and filled with trials. The formation usually takes about 7 to 9 years for those who diligently apply themselves to their formation and discerned worthy of their calling. This also allows the individual to discern properly if becoming ordained as a priest is what he or she is really called to be. During the years of formation, candidates for priesthood are required to study and express a good understanding of the teachings of the church passed on through encyclicals and church documents.

If priesthood is not for you, options for becoming ordained through The Universal Life Church might interest you more.