All male candidates seeking Holy Orders must demonstrate proficiency in the following five areas prior to being considered for ordination to the Priesthood:

Sacred Scripture: Studies in Old and New Testament with emphasis on exegesis and application to daily living.

Church History:  A study of the Christian Faith from the time of Jesus through the present and on the Old Roman Catholic Tradition.

Pastoralia: Studies in Homiletics, Pastoral Counseling, Liturgics, Liturgical Music and topics relating to parish work and interfacing with the people of God.

Theology: A comprehensive Theological course of study gives students a basic grasp of Theological concepts and application of these concepts within the scope of their vocation.

Monastic Studies and Religious Life: This subject area is geared to those individuals who aspire to the Religious life or who are already in vows and wish to acquire or enrich their knowledge of a vocation as a member of a Religious congregation. Diocesan clergy are encouraged but not required to acquire or possess a proficiency in this area.

Procedure

A candidate who seeks Holy Orders begins this process by submitting a formal letter to the Archbishop of his desire to pursue a vocation with the Church.  An interview which may be face-to-face or by telephone is arranged with the individual. Candidates must be active in their parish and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining an active prayer life.  Candidates complete an application and provide supporting documentation of Baptism, First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Candidates who are married also provide Marriage Certificate both secular and Sacramental. Candidates are required to also undergo a Psychological evaluation and Background check. Upon completion of the interview and review of the application and documentation, formal notification is sent by post to the candidate.

Minor Orders

Upon approval of a candidate’s application, a date is set for Tonsuring which formally admits the candidate to the clericate and studies begin for the candidate through the Church’s seminary training program. Advancement to the Minor Orders (Ostiarius or Porter, Lector, Exorcist and Acolyte) occurs  after consultation between the Archbishop and instructors on the candidates progress in the program and interview with the candidate. Generally, advancement occurs yearly on the Feast of Pentecost. Ordination of a candidate is ultimately at the sole, express pleasure of the Archbishop and may be accelerated or delayed.

Major Orders

Candidates will be considered for advancement to Major Orders (Subdiaconate, Diaconate, Priesthood) after ordination to the Minor Orders and completion of a Canonical Examination.  Ordination to the Major Orders places an indelible and irreversible mark on the soul and therefore not done lightly and without insuring the candidate understands the action. A candidate must be making satisfactory progress in the program and will have, prior to advancement, demonstrate his understanding of the canonical rank and be engaged in performing the duties of the specific rank prior to Ordination. Candidates are encouraged to pursue a specific Apostolate that will be the focus of their ministry in addition to Parish work. Candidates who are members of a Religious Order will seek guidance from their Religious Superior in relation to the charism of the order.

Permanent Diaconate

The Church recognizes the desire of men wishing to commit to the service of the Church but who are not called to express their vocation to serve as Priests. Thus, the Church will consider candidates for the Permanent Diaconate. The deacon role is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. He reads the Gospel during the Mass and may be called on to deliver the Homily.  He functions during the Mass liturgically in those parts that would be performed by the deaon including distribution of Holy Communion as well as the proper minister of the Chalice when Holy Communion is administered under both species. Their ministry of Charity focuses on the poor and marginalized in the parish as well as encouraging parishioners to be involved in this aspect of ministry. By virtue of their canonical rank, Permanent Deacons like transitional Deacons (i.e. deacons preparing for ordination to the priesthood), are able to offer certain sacramental actions. They may Baptize, officiate at weddings and officiate at funerals that do not include a Mass. They may offer a limited form of Extreme Unction (Last Rites) if delegated to do so in the name of the Archbishop of the Church. They may also offer services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. They may not, however hear confession, give absolution or celebrate the Mass but they may offer the Mass of the Presanctified again if delegated to do so by the Archbishop.

TRAINING PROGRAM

The official training program of the Church is Stella Maris Seminary Institute.  It is a multifaceted program which is primarily for the training of Clergy and Religious of the Church. The program may be made available to laity on a case-by-case basis. By virtue of the Church’s Canons and Bylaws, degrees are conferred to candidates for successful completion of each section of the program. Three degree programs are offered:

Bachelor in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.):  The S.T.B. is a 160-unit course of study.which covers the foundational

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.): The Masters in Sacred Theology is a 40-unit course of study beyond the S.T.B. or Dip. Th. which provides post-graduate studies of an advanced nature.

Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.): The S.T.D. is a 40 unit program of study beyond the Master's level. It consists of directed study and Dissertation in the area of study that the student has selected.

PROGRAM FORMAT

Because the Church recognizes that many students are engaged in full-time employment and unable to attend traditional "in class" instructions, the format of the Institute is self-directed study utilizing texts, audio tapes and video tapes.   Frequently, courses may offer group experiential study which the student may choose to participate in. Computer technology also allows the Institute to offer both on-line courses periodically in which students may interact on a "real time" basis with instructors or other students in the program and in a given course. Instructors are members of the clergy of the Church as well as other jurisdictions which may have concordats with.

Students complete each course in a self-directed manner and are then given examinations which test the students level of understanding of the specific course. When the student completes the program, a comprehensive examination is administered to determine that the student has acquired the knowledge necessary for award of the certificate or conferral of the degree.