Generally, it takes four to six years after college or eight to ten years after high school to become a diocesan priest, the same as for many professions. There is no certain age to start preparing for the priesthood. Some men attend high school seminaries, others enter the seminary after high school, after college, or after working for a number of years. It is the decision of the Bishop where a seminarian will study. A vow is a solemn promise made freely as one gives his or her life to God.
Many religious communities make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Diocesan priests do not make vows. For ordination, they freely make promises of celibacy and obedience to their Bishop. Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, rich in meaning and history, e.g., prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, sign of peace, etc. A man has to engage in a challenging program of priestly formation.