When I left school I went straight to work and didn’t go to college. I’m nearly 40 now and feel called to the priesthood. Can an older man still study for the priesthood?

Most popular questions

• Why are there so many different religious organisations?
• Do religious communities offer a trial period?
• Are there any books I should read to help me discern my vocation?
• I do not consider myself to be exceptionally holy, I try to pray every day and follow the commandments. I have always been very interested in the priesthood but I have never felt a burning passion for it. Could I still be called to the priesthood?
• If I don’t believe that Christ is really present in the Eucharist, can I still become a priest?
• The idea of public speaking is very challenging to me and I avoid it if possible. How can I be a priest when I hate public speaking?
• What if as a priest I need to take time out to care for a relative or family member?
• I’m not a native of Ireland, can I still join the priesthood in Ireland?
• I feel I have a specific charism to youth outreach. Can I live this charism out as a priest, or must I follow the charism of the order I join?
• I hear my local priest say in his homily that there’s a shortage of priests in Ireland, is there really a shortage of priests?