<P> Thus Catholic priests, in presiding at the Eucharist, join each offering of the Eucharistic elements in union with the sacrifice of Christ . Through their celebration of the Holy Eucharist, they make present the one eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross . </P> <P> Catholicism does not teach that Christ is sacrificed again and again, but that "The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice .". Instead, the Catholic Church holds the Jewish concept of memorial in which "...the memorial is not merely a recollection of past events...these events become in a certain way present and real ." and thus "...the sacrifice Christ offered once and for all on the cross remains ever present ." Properly speaking, in Catholic theology, expressed by Saint Thomas Aquinas, "Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers ." Thus, Catholic clergy share in the one, unique, Priesthood of Christ . </P> <P> The Canon law of the Catholic Church holds that the priesthood is a sacred and perpetual vocational state, not just a profession (which is a reason for, and symbolized by, the state of celibacy). There are programs of formation and studies which aim to enable the future priest to effectively serve his ministry . These programs are demanded by canon law (in the Latin rite, canons 232--264) which also refers to the Bishops' Conferences for local more detailed regulation . As a general rule, education is extensive and lasts at least five or six years, depending on the national Programme of Priestly Formation . </P> <Ul> <Li> In the United States, priests must have a four - year university degree in philosophy plus an additional four to five years of graduate - level seminary formation in theology with a focus on Biblical research . A Master of Divinity is the most common degree . </Li> <Li> In Scotland, there is a mandatory year of preparation before entering seminary for a year dedicated to spiritual formation, followed by several years of study . </Li> <Li> In Europe, Australasia and North America, seminarians usually graduate with a Master of Divinity or a Master of Theology degree, which is a four - year professional degree (as opposed to a Master of Arts which is an academic degree). At least four years are to be in theological studies at the major seminary . </Li> <Li> In Germany and Austria, priest candidates graduate with an academic degree (Magister theologiae, Diplom - Theologe, Master of Arts in Theology). The degree takes five years' and is preceded by a year of spiritual formation (plus learning of the ancient languages) and followed by two years of pastoral practice (during which the candidate is ordained to the deaconate). Usually, priests spend all of that time in a seminary except one "free year". </Li> <Li> In Africa, Asia and South America, programmes are more flexible, being developed according to the age and academic abilities of those preparing for ordination . </Li> </Ul>

How many years does it take to become a roman catholic priest