This is a process that will take time. You need to become educated in the Catholic faith and the ways of the church. This process is called catechism. You will need to be baptized. This occurs after your education is finished. Becoming a Catholic is an exploration of faith. You must be guided and mentored. Contact your local church to begin the process.
Spend some time considering your vocation. You should consider your gifts. Are you compassionate? Is your faith strong? Are you happy with your vocation? These are important qualities for a priest. Get some advice. Talk to your own priest and ask about his experience. Ask specific questions, such as what a priest does. Then take some time to reflect on the path you feel you should take, whether you want to be a priest or not.
Enrolling in a leadership program can help you get a sense of the skills you will need to take on greater authority within the church as your career progresses to higher ranks. If your church does not offer a leadership program, find out of there is a scholarship program that will enable you to attend one in another region.
Talk to your guidance counselor. Most high schools have a guidance counselor who can help you make a plan for life after graduating. Ask her to help you research seminaries and theological programs to go to in order to progress in your career.
Some young men will attend traditional college before deciding to become a priest. Often, after obtaining a college degree, they will begin graduate work. Graduate work is done at a theology school, which is associated with a university. An example of the degree earned is a Master of Divinity.
Talk to students who currently attend the school you are considering. Also ask alumnae about their experience. Think about whether that particular program will help you grow both spiritually and intellectually.
As a priest, you are responsible for the spiritual well-being of your congregation. You will perform sacraments, conduct Mass, and hear confession. An exemplary priest earns the designation “Monsignor”.
Be an effective communicator. Make sure that you are comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. You already do this as a priest, and it will become more important as you advance in the church. Be confident and clear when you speak. Work well with others. As a bishop or cardinal, you will need to manage other priests. Practice listening to the needs of others, and effectively communicating instructions.
Make sure that you are in regular communication with the archbishop for your region. He will be able to offer a positive recommendation when asked for his opinion about you. Bishops gather for regular meetings, where they set policy and liturgical standards for their region. The pope is responsible for appointing bishops and archbishops. He relies on existing bishops to provide him with recommendations. Remember, you cannot formally apply to become a bishop or archbishop. You must be appointed. The pope’s chief adviser in this process is the Apostolic Nuncio. He is the pope’s representative to the government and church hierarchy in individual countries.
Areas with significant Catholic populations, such as Manila, Boston, and Baltimore, are often where the pope chooses to create a cardinal. Make sure you live in a region that has a cardinal. You will not be likely to rise to this position from a small, rural population. When you are a bishop, maintain a positive relationship with the cardinal of your area. Make it clear that you are eager to serve the Church, and demonstrate your effective administrative skills. Cardinals are active in the administration of the Catholic church. There is not a formal application or interview process to become a cardinal. You must be appointed by the pope.
In the days following the funeral of the pope, the cardinals gather to prepare for conclave. This is where “politicking” occurs. Try to assess who your supporters are. Make it clear to the other cardinals that you are willing to accept the nomination.
Typically, the current must die in order for conclave to convene. It is extremely rare for a pope to resign. The cardinals gather 15-20 days after the death of the pope to conduct a secret ballot. Only the cardinals are allowed in the chapel. There are a few exceptions, such as medical personnel. Each cardinal must take a solemn oath that he will adhere to the rules of conclave, as written by Pope John Paul II. After the first day of conclave, two votes may be taken each morning, and two each afternoon.
There are three phases to the actual voting process: pre-scrutiny, where the ballots are prepared; scrutiny, where the ballots are collected and counted; and post-scrutiny, where the ballots are checked again and then burned. Conclave can last several days, but generally does not last longer than two weeks. A cardinal must receive 2/3 of the votes in order to be elected pope. After each vote, the ballots are burned. If black smoke is seen coming from the chapel, it means there will be another vote. White smoke signals the election of a new pope.
The pope presides over a weekly blessing for people visiting the Vatican. He also offers a general audience each week. The pope presides over all major religious celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter. Modern popes travel around the world, meeting Catholics and world leaders.
