The Pathway
to the Priesthood

Introduction

After recognizing that God had been calling me to be one of his priests, I was accepted into seminary formation for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond in Virginia in 2021.

The experiences I have had in seminary (two years in Washington DC and now finishing three years in Rome) have affirmed that call. Now, my bishop has given initial indication that I should anticipate being ordained to the diaconate this year on October 1, if formation continues to progress as expected.

This is a very important milestone, as it is a sacramental ordination that places me on the pathway to be ordained to the priesthood. Holy Orders is a sacrament that gives real grace, configuring a man to Christ. He becomes an instrument of Jesus's mediation to his people. All three ranks of Holy Orders (bishop, priest, and deacon) participate in the headship of Christ over his Church in a different way.

Formation

Preparation for the priesthood involves a period of many years of discernment, prayer, study, and formation in a community, guided by priests appointed for this task. The chief formation is Jesus.

From the outside, often academics are considered, which include significant philosophical, biblical, and theological study. However, formation involves the whole person, not only intellectually, but also humanly, pastorally, and spiritually.

The priesthood is not chosen by a man but by God, who calls the man. Thus, certain members of the Church are called by God through the Church to this special service of the community. These servants are chosen and consecrated by the sacrament of Holy Orders, by which the Holy Spirit enables them to act in the person of Christ the head, for the service of all the members of the Church. Those who are ordained are appointed to nourish the Church with the word and grace of God in the name of Christ.

Transitional Diaconate

The Sacrament of Holy Orders indelibly configures a man to Jesus. The first level is the Order of Deacon. For a man being formed to be a priest, like myself, time in this Order is temporary on the way to the priesthood.

In ordination, the candidate makes several promises, including to hold fast to the faith, to embrace a life of celibacy forever, to be a man of deep prayer, to conform his life to Christ, and to be obedient to his bishop.

The deacon is herald of the Gospel and is a man of service in the liturgy and to the people of God.

Priesthood

The second level is the Order of Priest. The highest act the priest perform is to confect the Eucharist during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The priest is in the person of Christ during those and other actions, so that when he acts, it is really Christ acting through him. In his wisdom, as documented in the Old and New Testaments, God chooses to work instrumentally through others to make himself and his work known. Such work further magnifies the glory and power of God.

The priest is a mediator between God and man, helping sanctify the people, bring God to them, and bring them to God. The priest is a cooperator in the mission of the Bishop of his diocese to bring the gospel to all peoples.