Who Are You

Discover Your Vocation

Every man, in virtue of having a body, has a vocation to marriage. It is his human nature which calls him to leave his father and mother and cling to his bride. Some men are asked to leave their father and mother and care for Christ’s bride, the Church.  Some men are drawn by Christ to live only all for Him.

Which one are you?

You may not know for sure.  You may be afraid of the answer.  To which we say “Noli Timere” (do not be afraid).

While it is certainly true that a young man who enters college seminary is seeking, he is first and foremost responding—responding to the invitation from Our Lord to “come and see."

But coming and seeing is not the same as committing.  Commitments are gradual.  First, one becomes a part of a fellowship.  In seminary, one does not spend each day asking whether or not he should be a priest.  Rather, he asks:  “Am I living this life?  Am I giving myself over to formation?  Am I actively seeking Christ in my prayer time?  Am I charitable to the men God has placed here with me?”  Eventually, when one lives the life, it becomes clear whether or not he was made for this life. Grace builds on and perfects nature. As such, when growth in grace confirms you in the life or gives you the clarity to decide otherwise.

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One discerning a
call to the priesthood
must be ready to
place everything on
the altar of sacrifice
as did the Apostles.

Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis Days is a five-day vocations discernment camp for young men age 15-19 held at Belmont Abbey College. The camp is run by the seminary and includes prayer, talks, sports, and fraternal time with priests and seminarians with the goal of equipping the young men with the tools of authentic discernment.

Registration Contact

Mrs. Lainie Lord
[email protected] 
704 370 3401

Camp + Vocation Contact

Fr. Brian Becker 
Promoter of Vocations 
[email protected]
704 370 3351

Step One

Speak with a Catholic priest about your desire.

Step Two

Daily Mass, Regular Confession, Spiritual Direction, and Rule of Life

Step Three

Attend Quo Vadis Retreat, Meet with Vocations Promoter, Visit College Seminary

Prayer + Spiritual life

Cultivating the seeds of a priestly vocation begins with rich soil. The soil of seminary life is fundamentally prayer. Such soil, however, needs various nutrients, most fundamental of which is silence.

holy sacrifice of the mass

Seeking the heart of Jesus, the college seminarian learns and intimately knows Christ’s sacrifice as it comes to him in the Sacred Liturgy. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass nourishes the soul with right worship in spirit and in truth. This worship culminates in the worthy reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion, thereby uniting the seminarian to the Lord, fortifying him against the temptations of the evil one and animating the seminarian in the life of charity.

The Most Holy Eucharist is the primary means for a seminarian to nourish his relationship with Christ. Pastores Dabo Vobis (48) asserts, “They should be trained to consider the Eucharistic celebration as the essential moment of their day, in which they will take an active part and at which they will never be satisfied with a merely habitual attendance.” We nourish our spiritual life on the daily reception of Holy Communion and prayer before the Lord truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

the divine office

Through the Divine Office, a college seminarian forms devout habits and experiences the heartbeat of prayer within the Church as he comes to know and love the glorious works and official prayers of the Church. Flowing from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Divine Office extends the sacrifice of praise throughout the day, immersing the seminarian in the “psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles” (Ephesians 5:19) that have inspired and formed the saints throughout Church history.

a “still, small voice”   i kings 19:12

Discernment

Fr. Brian Becker, Vocations Promoter
Diocese of Charlotte
[email protected]
(704) 370-3351

Spiritual Direction

Fr. Matthew Buettner, Spiritual Director
St. Joseph College Seminary
[email protected]
(704) 302-6386

Vade Mecum

‘Vade Mecum’ is Latin for ‘Go with me.’ It is a prayer book
the seminarian keeps with him at all times, a constant companion which contains the formal and devotional prayers utilized at St Joseph College Seminary.

Mental Prayer

The daily exercise of mental prayer enlightens the intellect with the Truth and ignites the will with Divine Love. Although mental prayer can be considered an end in itself, contemplation moves us towards the works of charity, both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

The Holy Rosary

These seeds of vocation further develop and mature through daily devotions that above all foster a love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her motherly intercession through the Holy Rosary, which is prayed both communally and privately.

spiritual
Reading

College seminarians are encouraged to be men of great piety, augmenting their personal prayer life through spiritual reading and personal devotion to our Blessed Mother and the saints. We hold St. Joseph in high esteem since he was the silent saint, who “did not fear to take Mary as his wife.” His potent example helps the seminarian learn to surrender self-will in obedience to the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, forming him into a man of prayer, a man of God.

Spiritual
Direction

Regular spiritual direction is essential in the formation and spiritual growth of the college seminarian. It assists him in recognizing the movements of the Holy Spirit in his life and vocation and in avoiding dangers that pose a threat to his vocation. The USCCB Program of Priestly Formation asserts that regular spiritual direction is essential, “in arriving at the interiorization and integration needed for growth in sanctity, virtue, and readiness for Holy Orders” (PPF, 110).

the sacrament of penance

Frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged. Spiritual directors and confessors are available each week for seminarians to receive the Sacrament. Both Penance and Spiritual Direction enjoy the security of internal forum, meaning the seminarian is free to discuss whatever sins and issues he needs to. Transparency allows the Rector and other priests in charge of formation to better lead, guide, and protect each seminarian accordingly.