St. James the Elder Theological Seminary
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Becoming a Priest 
Men coming to us with a traditional Catholic background are permitted and encouraged to continue using Roman Catholic rites and customs. Those with an Anglican or Episcopalian tradition can continue using the Book of Common Prayer.
Qualifying by Examination
Some men already possess enough knowledge and pertinent experience to apply by examination. Those individuals should contact Bishop Ewart. See HOME PAGE.
An application will be emailed immediately, without charge. The application should be emailed to Bishop Ewart.
[Candidates already holding acceptable credentials can apply through transfer by first requesting the application.]
We further believe:
The two Great Commandments instituted by Christ
The Ten Commandments given to Moses
The Trinity (one God in three divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); also called the "Godhead", the Father, attributed with creation; the Son, co-creator and redeemer, the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church)
The Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic: Christ the root and head)
The Saints (living, baptized people in perfect harmony with God plus the dearly departed who have entered the Kingdom. We often pray to God with the aid of the departed Saints, who are in His presence.)
The Purpose of Life (to know, love, and serve God in the world so as to be happy with Him in the next life.)
The validity of the Sacraments (the test through which a sacrament is judged to be valid; that is, having correct form, matter, and intention. The administrator of the sacrament must have been ordained by a bishop with confirmed lines of Apostolic Succession.)
Qualifying by Examination
Some men already possess enough knowledge and pertinent experience to apply by examination. Those individuals should contact Bishop Ewart. See HOME PAGE.
An application will be emailed immediately, without charge. The application should be emailed to Bishop Ewart.
[Candidates already holding acceptable credentials can apply through transfer by first requesting the application.]
We further believe:
The two Great Commandments instituted by Christ
The Ten Commandments given to Moses
The Trinity (one God in three divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); also called the "Godhead", the Father, attributed with creation; the Son, co-creator and redeemer, the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church)
The Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic: Christ the root and head)
The Saints (living, baptized people in perfect harmony with God plus the dearly departed who have entered the Kingdom. We often pray to God with the aid of the departed Saints, who are in His presence.)
The Purpose of Life (to know, love, and serve God in the world so as to be happy with Him in the next life.)
The validity of the Sacraments (the test through which a sacrament is judged to be valid; that is, having correct form, matter, and intention. The administrator of the sacrament must have been ordained by a bishop with confirmed lines of Apostolic Succession.)
The Holy Catholic Church International
[There is no charge for priest education and preparation.]
In our world-wide church we argue with no-one, we protest no-one, we criticize no-one. Our goal is to live as ministers who exemplify the holiness and purity expected by those we serve and thus to revitalize the Bride of Christ, His Church.
Priests and ministers from all over the world are identifying with our intentions and inquiring of us. They thirst for the purity and virtue of the priesthood that our Lord expects from us.
We pray for everyone to join us in spirit and for those who are called to join us in fact.
Men prepare for minor orders and then the priesthood first by study. The first step is to email Bishop Ewart. See HOME PAGE for email address.
[We do allow our priests and bishops to marry, either before or after ordination.]
The Studies
These prepare the student first for minor orders, then the deaconate, and finally the priesthood.
Hands-On Instruction
Once the studies and examinations are successfully completed, the student is trained in-person in a concentrated manner.
Ordination must be through the direct laying on of hands by a consecrated bishop. All of our bishops are direct descendents of the original apostles through valid lines of Apostolic Succession.
Apostolic Succession
Our clergy can trace their spiritual ancestry and authority directly to the original apostles. No-one without this lineage is qualified to minister the seven holy sacraments.
The original twelve apostles did not deviate from laying hands on their successors and thus passing on the authority of bishop. In every succeeding generation up to this day, bishops continued the practice as they knew that this order was established by Christ. [See the Book of Acts] Bishops in turn laid hands upon presbyters, or priests, who ministered under the authority of their bishops.
If you were to touch the hand of a real priest or bishop, you would, in effect, be touching an original apostle. The principle is similar to the "hands across America" practice, whereby touching a person in Pennsylvania is, in a way, also touching a person in California.
In the our Church, Bishops are elevated by the laying on of hands by at least two and possibly three bishops in order to leave no doubt as to the authenticity of the lines of succession.
[There is no charge for priest education and preparation.]
In our world-wide church we argue with no-one, we protest no-one, we criticize no-one. Our goal is to live as ministers who exemplify the holiness and purity expected by those we serve and thus to revitalize the Bride of Christ, His Church.
Priests and ministers from all over the world are identifying with our intentions and inquiring of us. They thirst for the purity and virtue of the priesthood that our Lord expects from us.
We pray for everyone to join us in spirit and for those who are called to join us in fact.
Men prepare for minor orders and then the priesthood first by study. The first step is to email Bishop Ewart. See HOME PAGE for email address.
[We do allow our priests and bishops to marry, either before or after ordination.]
The Studies
These prepare the student first for minor orders, then the deaconate, and finally the priesthood.
Hands-On Instruction
Once the studies and examinations are successfully completed, the student is trained in-person in a concentrated manner.
Ordination must be through the direct laying on of hands by a consecrated bishop. All of our bishops are direct descendents of the original apostles through valid lines of Apostolic Succession.
Apostolic Succession
Our clergy can trace their spiritual ancestry and authority directly to the original apostles. No-one without this lineage is qualified to minister the seven holy sacraments.
The original twelve apostles did not deviate from laying hands on their successors and thus passing on the authority of bishop. In every succeeding generation up to this day, bishops continued the practice as they knew that this order was established by Christ. [See the Book of Acts] Bishops in turn laid hands upon presbyters, or priests, who ministered under the authority of their bishops.
If you were to touch the hand of a real priest or bishop, you would, in effect, be touching an original apostle. The principle is similar to the "hands across America" practice, whereby touching a person in Pennsylvania is, in a way, also touching a person in California.
In the our Church, Bishops are elevated by the laying on of hands by at least two and possibly three bishops in order to leave no doubt as to the authenticity of the lines of succession.
Our Church Believes:
the Bible, the truth of God made known to man
the seven Holy Sacraments:
1. the Eucharist (through which Christ presents Himself to the faithful and imparts indescribable grace, including life itself)
2. Baptism (through which infants, children, and adults become members of the Living Body of Christ: the Church, and through which the taint of original sin is removed)
3. Matrimony (the blessed joining of a couple in marriage through which grace is received to live in the holy union of husband and wife)
4. Confirmation (through which one receives the Holy Spirit and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit)
5. Penance (also called "Confession", through which sins are forgiven)
6. Anointing of the Sick (through which one is often healed or prepared to meet the Lord; also called "Unction")
7. Orders (also called "Ordination") through which deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained in keeping with the Apostolic Succession.
the Bible, the truth of God made known to man
the seven Holy Sacraments:
1. the Eucharist (through which Christ presents Himself to the faithful and imparts indescribable grace, including life itself)
2. Baptism (through which infants, children, and adults become members of the Living Body of Christ: the Church, and through which the taint of original sin is removed)
3. Matrimony (the blessed joining of a couple in marriage through which grace is received to live in the holy union of husband and wife)
4. Confirmation (through which one receives the Holy Spirit and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit)
5. Penance (also called "Confession", through which sins are forgiven)
6. Anointing of the Sick (through which one is often healed or prepared to meet the Lord; also called "Unction")
7. Orders (also called "Ordination") through which deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained in keeping with the Apostolic Succession.
