Holy Orders

What is a Diocesan Priest?

A diocesan priest lives among the people in the parishes of the diocese ministering to the day-to-day needs of God's people as a spiritual father. His ministry centers around the administration of the sacraments: celebration of masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, hearing confessions, and anointing the sick. In this way, he is like a general practitioner or a spiritual family doctor that caters to the diverse needs of the people in his parish. His commitment is to serve the people of the local Church - wherever the Bishop assigns him in the Diocese.

How do i know?

Even though a man only “knows” he is called when he is ordained, there are many positive signs that can point to a vocation, and here are some of them:

• A friendship with Jesus is important to me.
• People tell me that I would make a good priest.
• A desire to go to Mass and Adoration frequently, even daily.
• The thought of becoming a priest keeps coming back over and over again.
• I’m afraid to tell my friends and family that I’ve been thinking about the priesthood.
• I imagine myself preaching or think about how I would preach the homily differently.
• I have a burning desire to help people get closer to Christ and to know the Truth.
• If some of these statements reflect how you feel, then God may be calling you.

If a young man feels called to a priestly vocation dedicated to God, and would like to explore the Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Nashville please contact our pastor at the church office, 931-645-6275.

For more information, prayer, ideas, and opportunities for further discernment, visit the Diocese of Nashville Vocations website.

Formation is designed to help form the man and his wife into the best deacon couple possible. The curriculum is developed from the guidelines established by the U.S. Bishops in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of the Permanent Diaconate in the United States.

This document sets out the standards the Bishops want in the deacons who will serve in the United States. Formation is focused on development in four different areas or pillars: Human, Spiritual, Pastoral, and Intellectual. Each year these components build upon each other. The Bishops specifically defined the standards for each year of formation using the four pillars. Formation is more than academic; it is about forming the entire person. Knowledge is necessary and valuable, but unless the men know how to apply it so that people can understand and appreciate it, it remains simply knowledge.

Since the formation process is about developing deacons for the Diocese, the growth of each person will be monitored and evaluated. The discernment aspect of formation continues until the Bishop lays his hands on the men at their ordination. Because a man and his wife are accepted into the formation process, it does not mean he will be ordained. The couple, as well as the Church, continues to discern their readiness and true call toward the Permanent Diaconate.

For more information please contact Deacon Juan Garza at the church office,
931-645-6275.