Basic Requirements for Admissions

Background

• Have completed the diocesan Adult Safe Environment Awareness Training, have a profile in VIRTUS and criminal background check; be in good standing in his parish.
• No criminal record (felony and/or misdemeanor, arrest).
• Be a mature person, in good psychological health and free of addictive behaviors.
• Be free from all canonical impediments and irregularities* (see canon 1041) for the reception of Holy Orders.

Vocational Support and Sacraments

• Must have a letter of recommendation from parish pastor and a deacon at the time of application.
• Have received the Sacraments of Initiation.
• If a convert to Catholicism, must be at least five (5) years beyond reception into full communion in the Catholic Church.

Civil Status

If single:
Be celibate for at least three (3) years before applying and demonstrate a stable, settled life, and a history of healthy relationships.

If widower:
Have at least three (3) years to heal and recover from the loss of spouse and be willing to freely embrace celibacy.

If married:

• Must be in a stable and healthy sacramental matrimony of at least 10 years.
• Enjoy the full, genuine, and active support of his wife who is willing to participate in some formation activities.
• Wife must be Catholic and in good standing with the Church and parish.
• If the interested party was previously married and divorced; must provide the declaration of marriage nullity; validation, or sanatio before beginning the discernment process.

Ministry to the Poor

Have a verifiable record of some service to the parish community, which may include:

• Hands-on-service to those in need within his own parish, and/or in the larger community in the Diocese of Fort Worth.
• Helping the poor and homeless.
• Ministry to those in jail and prison.
• Visiting those in hospitals or confined to their homes due to illness.
• Caring for the bereaved.

Education, Faith Formation, and Background

• Have at least a high school education (diploma) or an accredited general equivalency diploma (GED), with an ability to do the required college-level academic work of the program.
• If English is not the native language, must have a reasonable grasp of the English language (be able to have a basic conversation).
• Have a basic knowledge of the teachings of the Church and familiarity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible.

Canonical Impediments (can. 1041)

Canonical prohibitions which can lead to denial of invitation to inquiry and admission to formation include:

• Insanity, a diagnosed mental illness, or addiction.
• Commission of apostasy, heresy, or schism.
• Being ordained or in perpetual vows as a member of a religious order.
• Being married outside of the Church or being in an invalid marriage.
• Commission of voluntary homicide.
• Performing, financing, procuring, or cooperating in an abortion.
• Attempting suicide.
• Self-mutilation including vasectomy or tubal ligation (wife).
• Impersonation of an ordained minister.
• Involvement in any activity that would be unbecoming to the clerical state or that would bring scandal to the Church.