Diocese of Orange County officials Friday announced plans to convert a former convent in Santa Ana into dormitory housing for aspiring priests, the first of its kind in the county.
The House of Discernment is part of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and School property near Santa Ana’s French Park. It was a convent from 1932 to 1971, but has since been used by the school.
The Orange Catholic Foundation will work to raise $3.5 million to renovate and furnish the 5,800-square-foot building believed to have been built in 1921. The plans call for maintaining the structure’s architectural character, including the chapel’s stained-glass windows.
Diocese officials hope to finish the work by next fall. It will include seven modest bathrooms for the priestly candidates, who will live there as they consider entering a seminary.
“Well-formed priests are not an accident,” said Father Cheeyoon Chun, director of priestly vocations for the Diocese of Orange. “The House of Discernment will offer men the opportunity to live in fraternity with fellow discerners, receive spiritual direction and participate in intentional human, spiritual and pastoral formation. This early formation helps ensure those who continue to seminary are ready to embrace this lifelong vocation.”
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thanks