A Call to Diocesan Priesthood!

It comes first of all in the home, from the example of parents and friends for whom faith in Jesus Christ is important. It comes from good priests and an active community. More than these, however, it comes in the quiet moments when we return Christ's gaze and meet him in personal prayer.

Perhaps in these moments we will see the greater picture of God's desire for his people, and realise the intrinsic need for pastors of these people. A need that is growing as fast as the community we call the Church.

We are the Church, all of us together who follow Jesus Christ. Each of us is called by Jesus to serve him in a special way. We are rightly very much aware today of the tremendous dignity and responsibility of every person in the Church, and indeed of every human being. But we need the ministry of priests so that we can be the integrated community the Lord calls us to be.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) reminded us that priests have the chief role to play in the renewal of the Church. The more active lay people become in the church's life and work, the more the priest is needed to sustain and empower them for their service of the Lord.

Diocesan Priesthood

Archbishop B. Tlhagale and Fr Peter Holiday

[ Comparison between a Diocesan and Relgious Priest ]

Am I the Right Man for the Job

Don't let this scare you! All it takes is a little generosity, being a reasonably outgoing man, with a real personal desire to be prayerful. It takes someone who feels at home with his friends, has good health and moral character and a potential for some academic studies.

All over the world there are teachers, school leavers, nurses, musicians, lorry drivers, bank clerks - -people in all walks of life, and at all ages, responding to the invitation to the priesthood.

Fr. Michael Fitzpatrick

What do Diocesan Priests actually do?

Parish priests are called on to visit and care for the sick and elderly, to counsel people through their daily problems, to foster and engage in catechetics, adult faith education, bible study groups, faith sharing groups, sodalities and other parish activities.

He is also involved in community development and projects, as well as ways of tackling the many social problems of our age-especially through working with the diocese and engaging himself in ecumenical efforts.

This and so much more!!!

Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts, and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honour upon himself but only when called by God... Hebrews 5:1-4

Training

Fr. T. Sithole

A Matric pass is the minimum requirement, though some post-matric life experience is preferable. There are also some interviews, a basic medical examination and a psychological assessment to be done.

The basic training starts with an orientation year in Oakford - Verulam (for seminarians from certain dioceses, including Jo'burg) before joining the other students around the country at St. Peter's Seminary in Garsfontein in Pretoria for two years of philosophy training. After this comes four years of theology training at St. John Vianney Seminary in Waterkloof, Pretoria.

At present the seminarians do a six month pastoral internship in a parish after their second year of theology, and then a six month deaconate once their studies are finished - after this comes priestly ordination.

The training is not simply academic, but concentrates on the human development, pastoral formation and spiritual development of each man as well.

Who do I contact?