Questions to Ask Priests
Meaningful questions to ask priests about their faith, vocation, and spiritual guidance, helping you deepen your understanding and connection with your faith.
1What inspired you to become a priest?
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What inspired you to become a priest?
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Why this works
Reveals their calling while providing insight into their spiritual journey and what drew them to ordained ministry.
2How do you maintain your own spiritual life while serving others?
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How do you maintain your own spiritual life while serving others?
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Why this works
Shows their personal practices while revealing how they balance ministry demands with their own faith development.
3What is the most challenging aspect of being a priest?
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What is the most challenging aspect of being a priest?
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Why this works
Reveals their struggles while providing insight into the difficulties they face in ministry and pastoral care.
4What is the most rewarding part of your vocation?
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What is the most rewarding part of your vocation?
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Why this works
Shows what motivates them while revealing the joys and fulfillment they find in their priestly ministry.
5How do you approach spiritual direction and counseling?
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How do you approach spiritual direction and counseling?
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Why this works
Reveals their pastoral approach while providing insight into how they guide people through spiritual questions and struggles.
6What advice do you have for someone seeking to deepen their faith?
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What advice do you have for someone seeking to deepen their faith?
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Why this works
Shows their wisdom while revealing practical guidance for growing closer to God and strengthening spiritual life.
7How do you handle the weight of hearing confessions?
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How do you handle the weight of hearing confessions?
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Why this works
Reveals their pastoral burden while providing insight into how they maintain confidentiality and carry the weight of others' struggles.
8What does the Eucharist mean to you personally?
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What does the Eucharist mean to you personally?
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Why this works
Shows their faith depth while revealing their personal relationship with the central sacrament of Catholic worship.
9How do you approach preaching and preparing homilies?
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How do you approach preaching and preparing homilies?
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Why this works
Reveals their teaching method while providing insight into how they communicate God's word and make it relevant.
10What role does prayer play in your daily life?
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What role does prayer play in your daily life?
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Why this works
Shows their spiritual discipline while revealing their personal prayer practices and relationship with God.
11How do you handle doubts or difficult periods in your faith?
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How do you handle doubts or difficult periods in your faith?
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Why this works
Reveals their humanity while providing insight into how even priests struggle and grow in their faith journey.
12What is your favorite part of being a priest?
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What is your favorite part of being a priest?
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Why this works
Shows their joy while revealing what aspects of ministry bring them the most fulfillment and satisfaction.
13How do you approach ministering to people in crisis?
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How do you approach ministering to people in crisis?
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Why this works
Reveals their pastoral care while providing insight into how they offer comfort and guidance during difficult times.
14What saints or spiritual figures inspire you?
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What saints or spiritual figures inspire you?
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Why this works
Shows their spiritual influences while revealing the examples and models that shape their priesthood and faith.
15How do you balance the administrative duties with the spiritual aspects of ministry?
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How do you balance the administrative duties with the spiritual aspects of ministry?
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Why this works
Reveals practical challenges while providing insight into how they manage the various demands of parish leadership.
16What is your understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness?
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What is your understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness?
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Why this works
Shows their theology while revealing their perspective on the core Christian teachings about grace and redemption.
17How do you approach interfaith dialogue and relationships?
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How do you approach interfaith dialogue and relationships?
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Why this works
Reveals their ecumenical approach while providing insight into how they engage with people of other faiths.
18What do you wish more people understood about the Catholic faith?
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What do you wish more people understood about the Catholic faith?
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Why this works
Shows their teaching priorities while revealing common misconceptions they'd like to address about the Church.
19How has being a priest changed your understanding of God?
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How has being a priest changed your understanding of God?
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Why this works
Reveals their growth while providing insight into how ministry has deepened and transformed their faith.
20What can I pray for you?
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What can I pray for you?
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Why this works
Shows care for their well-being while creating an opportunity to support them spiritually in their ministry.
Best Practices for Talking to Priests
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Approach with Respect and Openness
Show respect for their vocation while being open and honest about your questions and spiritual needs.
Listen with a Desire to Learn
Ask questions with genuine curiosity about their faith and experiences rather than to debate or challenge.
Remember They're Human Too
Recognize that priests are people with their own struggles, questions, and growth journeys in faith.
Question Sequences
The Vocation Focus
The Spiritual Guidance
Common Pitfalls
Don't Treat Them as Perfect
Avoid putting priests on a pedestal. They're human and have their own struggles and weaknesses.
Avoid Argumentative Questions
Ask questions to learn and understand rather than to debate or prove a point about Church teachings.
Don't Forget to Show Appreciation
Express gratitude for their service and ministry, and offer to pray for them in their vocation.