By Father Michael Kapperman
Vocational discernment is not easy. Often, discerning one’s vocation is an experience of uncertainty, confusion and anxiety. The reason for this is that one’s vocation isn’t like choosing a career or picking a college as these can be somewhat easily changed. Instead, one’s vocation is a lifelong commitment that is rooted in one’s identity. This leads to the pressure of “not wanting to get it wrong.” Any young man who has experienced a draw towards discerning priesthood knows the difficulty and confusion that comes with discernment.
What if I told you there is a very simple step young men can take to help bring about big clarity and peace in their vocational discernment? That step is visiting a seminary.
On a seminary visit, a young man lives the life of a seminarian for a couple of days, joining brothers in prayer, attending classes, receiving formation and experiencing the fraternity of seminary. This simple visit to the seminary can bring about great clarity by helping the young man ask the question, “Can I see myself here?” He will either be able to say, “Yes, I think I’d enjoy it here, and it would allow me to further ask the question about priesthood” or “No, while the life here is fun, I don’t believe this is where I’m meant to be.”
This has been the experience of those who have made a seminary visit. Last year, University of South Dakota (USD) student Alex Munce went on a February visit with another USD student who he knew from the Newman Center there. Recounting this trip, Alex shared, “I loved it.” But as the visit went on, he came to see this wasn’t where the Lord was inviting him. Alex had some conversations with the other USD student who was more and more excited about the seminary. Alex on the other hand said, though it was a good visit, “It wasn’t where I needed to stay.” This brought great clarity that where God was calling him was to return to USD and stay involved at the Newman Center.
Seminarian Peter Doty’s visit to the seminary changed his life. After being encouraged by his mother, Peter finally said “yes” to visiting the seminary. On the visit, Peter encountered Christ in a profound way.
“The fruit of that visit was that I encountered Christ,” Peter said. “The men are great in their intentionality, but what was great for me was the time away from the stresses of the world and a chance to be with [Christ].” This encounter with Christ started the process that eventually led to him asking to enter seminary.
Although seminary visits can bring about great clarity, two common fears young men have about visiting a seminary are the following: “If I visit a seminary, then that means I have to be a priest” and “If I visit a seminary, then others will think I want to be a priest.” This simply isn’t true.
To use an analogy, if a young man is interested in a young woman, one of the first things he has to do is spend time with her. If he spends time with this young woman, it doesn’t mean he has to now marry her! Same thing with seminary.
After reading this, what are some concrete steps one can take to encourage young men to take a seminary visit? First, ask yourself the following question: “Who in my life do I think would make a great priest?” If you can think of someone, ask other individuals who know them if they also think the young man would be a good priest. If they also agree, encourage the young man by sharing with him that you think he would be a good priest. Also invite him to visit a seminary.
Second, if you invite a man to visit a seminary, encourage him by quieting the fears of seminary visits. You can say to him, “Now, some men think that visiting a seminary means they are going to be a priest. That is far from the truth. Instead, a seminary visit helps young men find clarity of where God is calling them to next.” You can also share with him that not every man who enters seminary becomes a priest. In fact, only about 30 percent of young men who start seminary end up becoming priests.
Third, pray for those going on seminary visits. Our next seminary visits are Feb. 12-14 to St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Feb. 21-23 to Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota. Pray that these young men might find big clarity through these visits.
Finally, if you want more information on upcoming seminary visits, please reach out to me at frmichaelkapperman@sfcatholic.org. God Bless!
