Roman Catholic priests provide spiritual guidance, perform and administer rites and sacraments, and oversee the education of Catholics in the United States.
There are two main classifications of priests. Diocesan, or secular, priests generally are assigned to a parish by the bishop of their diocese. They work as individuals to provide complete pastoral services for their congregations and are involved in the elementary and secondary schools of their parish and diocese.
Religious priests are part of a religious order such as the Jesuits or Franciscans. They perform specialized work such as teaching or missionary work, which is assigned to them by their superiors in the order. Those involved in education usually work at the high school, college, or university level.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
There are ordained Catholic priests in nearly every city and town and in many rural areas. The largest concentrations are in metropolitan areas where large Catholic parishes and educational institutions are located.
Working conditions for priests vary greatly. Those assigned to parishes usually work long and irregular hours. Priests are not permitted to marry, and the absence of a family life is a hardship for some priests. On the other hand, a deacon, who holds a job title just below that of priest, may marry and have a family.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
As with all members of the clergy, whatever denomination, a deep religious commitment and a desire to serve others are the most important qualifications for a priest. He must also be a model of moral and ethical conduct.
For young men who decide early in life to become priests, high school seminaries provide a college preparatory program.
Preparation for the priesthood requires eight years of study beyond high school. Seminary colleges provide a liberal arts program stressing philosophy and religion, behavioral sciences, history, and the natural sciences. Four additional years are spent in the study of the rites and teachings of the Catholic Church and field work.
Potential and Advancement
The need for priests is expected to grow along with the growth in population, but the number of ordained priests has traditionally been insufficient to meet the needs of the church and will probably continue to be insufficient.
Newly ordained diocesan priests usually start out as assistants to pastors of established parishes. As they gain experience, they may advance to posts in larger parishes or be assigned to parishes of their own. Some priests advance to administrative positions within the diocese.
Newly ordained religious priests begin work immediately in the specialty for which they are trained. They may advance to administrative positions within their religious order or in the institutions where they work.
Income
The salaries of diocesan priests vary from diocese to diocese. Those assigned to a parish live in the parish rectory where all living expenses are paid by the parish and a car allowance is usually provided. Some dioceses also provide group insurance and retirement benefits.
Priests engaged in other than parish work are usually paid at least a partial salary by the institution that employs them. Housing is sometimes also provided.
Religious priests take a vow of poverty and are supported by their religious orders.
Additional Sources of Information
Young men interested in entering the priesthood should seek the guidance of their parish priest or contact the diocesan director of vocations.
