A reader writes:

Listen, I have a question for a man like you who no doubt is in contact with dozens of individual Catholic parishes and groups nationwide and may be in a position to know: after discerning for over a year, I’ve decided to follow the promptings of God through His Holy Spirit and enter a religious order and seminary formation to study for the priesthood, praise God! Will apply for admission to the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and, God willing, will join in July them to begin pre-theologate studies at Franciscan U. of Steubenville this August! Problem: like most religious orders, they are poor and cannot afford to put their unprofessed postulants through the 1st year of college courses at an expensive place like FUS, so they ask us as postulants to cover our tuition, fees, books, and health insurance for the first year of coursework, after which time the order pays for all education and all other expenses for their seminarians. In my case, I need to raise $13,000 by this July, no later, or I may not be able to begin my vocation this year. I can come up with a few thousand $ from savings and family, but am looking at finding sponsorship for perhaps $9K for my expenses before then.

Have already discovered that both the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club (sp?) give small scholarships to many men going into diocesan or religious seminary training, but I only expect perhaps $1-2K total from them. Have you had any contact or interaction with any non-profit Catholic organizations, or perhaps even individual benefactors, who offer scholarships or grants to religious order postulants/seminarians? Any other thoughts or ideas on whom I might contact about this? I don’t hold too much hope of asking my bishop for assistance here in Dallas simply because he naturally would focus limited resources on his own diocesan seminarians.

Thanks for your help, and for any prayers you could offer for my intention on this! God bless you and your family!

God bless your willingness to serve God and answer His call! I wish I had any info for you but I basically don’t–except that I think maybe Our Sunday Visitor might have some sort of grant program (though I don’t know for sure and, if it exists, if it’s for guys in your position). I’d check with them. Beyond that, I’m clueless. About the only thing I could suggest would be to open a Paypal account and see if any CAEI readers want to toss some $$$ in your tin cup. If you do that, let me know and I’ll alert folks. Sorry I’m not more help!