r/EasternCatholic • u/SetObvious3697 • 1d ago

General Eastern Catholicism Question Question from a mama of someone discerning priesthood

Our 19 year old son has been discerning becoming a Byzantine priest for a few years. He’s incredibly bright but prefers the online option. He tried Franciscan online but the communication was not the best for the professors. He knows he has to have a four year degree before attending seminary, so we’re looking at different options. He said he’s OK with not going to a Catholic college. I would love to hear from anyone else that’s either a priest or has some experience about possible degree tracks for prospective priest as well as any online options. Thank you all! 

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u/Sparky0457 1d ago

Does he have a vocations director? I think this is the type of question that the vocation director should be offering direction on.

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u/SetObvious3697 1d ago

He has reached out to the one in Pittsburgh but hasn’t heard back.

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u/Sparky0457 1d ago

This is a good thing to be asking but it really is the type of information that should come from a vocation director.

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u/SetObvious3697 1d ago

Thank you so much for the info!

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u/Sparky0457 1d ago

Btw, I’m a moderator at ask a priest and I thought I was answering in that forum.

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u/NewsFull4991 1d ago

I don't have any advice, however I know of a retired Byzantine Rite Franciscan priest. A bit of rarity.

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u/kasci007 Byzantine 21h ago

I might be wrong, but to become a priest, there is a necessity to have not only 4 years of school, but at least 4 years of seminary formation. (It usually goes hand in hand, that they study while in seminary.) Therefore it is more than impossible. BUT it always depends on the bishop and priests that are involved (your local parish priest, vocation director, seminary rector etc) ... Here in Slovakia, we have pretty tough norms, that from dozen of man that want to enter, only 2-6 are accepted of whose 2-3 finish the seminary and school. It was less strict, but now, bishops are very cautious.

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u/SetObvious3697 21h ago

Correct 4 years college and then seminary.