24 Qualities and Characteristics of Prospective Priesthood Candidates

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  • You have a personal relationship with God, integrated through prayer, and seen as an important and vital part of your life
  • You have the ability and willingness to talk about your faith.
  • You have some involvement in your local parish or faith community.
  • You have a desire to serve others and make a difference in people's lives.
  • You are motivated by the mission of Jesus and have the ability to articulate it.
  • You are willing to sacrifice personally for the service of the Gospel and the church.
  • You are approachable.
  • You possess a psycho-sexual-socio maturity.
  • You have the ability to collaborate with others.
  • You take initiative and assume responsibility for your actions.
  • You recognize the importance of the church and the role of the church as teacher.
  • You possess the skills of self-mastery and discipline.
  • You have shown the capacity and evidence of living a chaste celibate life.
  • You have healthy relationships with men, women and children.
  • You have average intelligence, common sense, good physical and emotional health.
  • You recognize the need to both give and accept support from others.
  • You possess a keen sense of empathy.
  • You have leadership skills.
  • The celebration of the sacraments is important to you.
  • You have the ability to nurture another person's growth.
  • You are open to and respectful of all people.
  • You are a person of integrity.
  • You have an awareness of God's omnipotent presence.
  • Others have mentioned that you would make a good priest.
     

Source: Appendix to the program materials for the Priestly Life and Vocation Summit: Fishers of Men, a product of the USCCB Bishop’s Committee on Vocations and the Bishop’s Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, October 2005