Steps to Becoming a Ministerial Priest

One needs to first discern that he is called to the ministerial priesthood, which initially takes place via some combination of his own prayer and the encouragement of family and friends, including priests.

In the process, a man discerns whether he is called to diocesan or religious priesthood and where, and his discernment is affirmed by his acceptance to a particular diocese or religious order. Then he goes through years of formation, including further discernment and studies focused first on philosophy and then theology.

If his formation progresses well, he is first ordained to the diaconate and the finally the ministerial priesthood.