Can I become a priest at age 53?
Jerry asks:
Dear Father Anthony...I am a Catholic man, 53 years old.
Never married and no children. I have no vices such as drugs or
alcohol and am in excelent health and take no prescription
medication and work out with regularity. I own a small real
estate title company and have been succsessful with this
venture. For the last 15 years I have been sole caregiver to my
elderly mother. Now her health has declined to the point that
she had to be placed in a nursing facility. I have wanted to be
a Catholic priest for some time. Now my "window" of
opportunity has opened. My question is regarding my age as a
factor of becoming a priest....also I lack a bachelors
degree....however, I am not adverse to hard work...I would do
what is needed to become a Catholic priest. I know I have some
"strikes" against me...but I am confidant that I
would make a good priest...I may not be the best candidate for
the job but I know I would wake up each day and be the best
priest that I can possibly be..Father Anthony, I would greatly
value your opinion on this matter...Thank you.....
Dear Jerry,
I appreciate your trust in writing to me.
My first advice is to give priority to this in your prayer
life. If you don't already do so start going to daily Mass and
Communion, with regular Confession as well in order to open
your soul more and more to the presence and voice of Jesus.
Make a practice also of the daily Rosary, and spiritual
reading, especially books by good authors on the priesthood and
spiritual life (use the Vatican website to read the Church's
documents on priestly life.) What you want to ask Christ
through all of this is: is it really you calling me?
The next important step is to get a spiritual director if
you don't already have one. He will be of great help to
you.
And the third is to contact your diocesan vocation director.
If your diocese does not accept candidates of your age he will
be able to put you in touch with one that does.
God bless, be assured of my prayers,