Funds will bolster seminarian education, formation
Priests are more than just ministers of the Church’s sacraments. Priests live the faith and continue the work of redemption on Earth made possible by Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, is quoted as saying “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Great priests inspire and encourage their flocks to lead lives modeled after the example of Christ. However, before a man can become a priest he must spend at least six years in seminary.
Every year, in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the largest line-item on the budget is seminarian education. The cost of educating one seminarian for one year is approximately $50,000, and there are currently 23 seminarians studying for the archdiocese. Educating seminarians is one of the most important functions of the archdiocese, and it helps to ensure there are no financial barriers to prevent men from answering God’s call to serve the Church where they are needed most.
When seminarians do not have to worry about paying for their education, they are able to fully devote their efforts and attention to studying and growing in their faith. This is important to the seminarians as well as their parents and guardians.
Angela Holt, a parishioner at Epiphany of the Lord in Oklahoma City, is the mother to three boys, including, Joseph, a seminarian for the archdiocese who is in his second year of college seminary at Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo.
“I was very proud of my son deciding to follow where he thought God was leading him. But, the question of affording an education like that definitely came to mind quickly,” Holt said.
“With Joseph being the youngest, I knew what to expect financially, but once I learned what kind of support the archdiocese offered, I was able to focus more on how to help my son grow in his vocation.”
Joseph Holt said he is grateful for the support as he pursues his vocation.
“From the very beginning of my formal discernment, the archdiocese has been there with me every step of the way,” he said. “The archdiocesan support, especially in financial matters, has been so important to me. I was able to focus on prayerful discernment without having to think ‘even if God is calling me to go to seminary, how would I pay for it?’”
He went on to say he is not sure if he would be in seminary if not for the support of his parish and the archdiocese.
Funds raised through the Seminarian Education Appeal and the Living Faith Society provide ongoing, annual support for seminarian education. The Living Faith Society is a group of donors who intentionally pray daily for a specific seminarian and commit to a recurring monthly gift to ensure financial obstacles do not prevent young men like Joseph Holt from prayerfully discerning a priestly vocation.
For more information about the Seminarian Education Appeal and to join Living Faith Society, visit www.archokc.org/SeminarianFund.