Office for Vocations
Diocesan Priesthood: Admission
Process | Scholarships
Applying for Seminary Admission
Eight Steps to Seminary Application
- Call a vocation director.
- Participate in discernment events:
- Discern workshop
- 7-11 ministry day
- Discernment group
- Priesthood Discernment retreat
- Project Andrew Dinner
- Seminar Day
- Silent Directed Retreat
- Articulate your motivation to be a priest: Compose a short autobiography. Complete the preliminary packet questionaire. Prepare for and take SAT, or GRE, or T.O.E.F.L.
- Confirm your call: Be interviewed by the vocation assessment team
- Obtain a psychological assessment
- Apply to seminary: Complete the formal admissions packet. Obtain letters of recommendation and baptismal and confirmation certificates. Get physical, dental and eye exams.
- Present yourself to the admissions committe at the seminary
- Start Seminary!
Requirements for Admission to the Seminary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
An Applicant:
- Must be a Catholic who practices his faith and demonstrates a good Christian moral lifestyle.
- Needs to have lived in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for at least one year and is involved in parish ministry.
- Should have at least two years of intentional celibacy.
- Must have good physical and psychological health.
- Must have the intelligence to complete a regular college program and graduate studies.
- Must have a proper legal status to be in the United States.
- Must be gainfully employed and able to support himself.
- May not be married.
- Must have no minor or dependent children.
- Must be free of significant debt.
Seminary Scholarships
St. Charles Lwanga Scholarship. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles offers an annual scholarship to African American students pursuing a vocation to the priesthood by doing their undergraduate work at Xavier University in New Orleans in preparation for entrance to St. John's Seminary.
Queen of Angeles Scholarship. The Queen of Angels Scholarships are awarded to deserving new college seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
