Applying

 

After a period of discernment, you and the Vocations Director may well judge that it is right for you to move on to the next stage, which would be a formal application to be accepted as a student for the priesthood of the diocese.  As you would expect, this will involve completing an application form and providing the names of referees who know you well – for example priests, teachers, employers and fellow parishioners.  You will also be asked to provide a personal statement on your journey of faith that has brought you to this point.  The Vocations Director will also arrange for you to undergo psychological and medical assessments at the appropriate points in this process.

 

You will then be asked to attend an interview with a selection panel who will recommend to the Archbishop whether you should be accepted or not.  Remember that this is not like a job interview – you are being interviewed to begin a lengthy period of formation, not to start working as a priest next week!

 

The interview panel will therefore be looking at your personal qualities and your potential more than your present level of knowledge and skills.

 

If the panel feel that you do indeed show positive signs of a vocation to the priesthood, they will recommend that you go forward to a further interview with the Archbishop.  He will take the final decision to accept you as a student for the diocese, and where your formation will take place.