What is Seminary Like?

“The formation of future priests… is considered by the Church to be one of the most demanding and important tasks for the future of the evangelization of humanity.” – Saint John Paul II in Pastores Dabo Vobis

The best formation the Church offers!

The seminary is the place where a man is formed mind, body, and soul into the image of Jesus Christ.  Seminaries are places of joy, camaraderie, and deep learning as men encourage each other to become solid disciples of Jesus.  Today’s seminarians experience the best formation the Church offers!
 

What is daily life like for a typical seminarian? In a word: busy. Because the demands of priesthood are so great, formation of future priests is rigorous.  In addition to master’s-level academics, seminarians pray together at least twice a day, go to daily Mass, meet with their spiritual directors, and go to pastoral assignments at local parishes. Plus there are special meetings, workshops, and homework. 

Four Pillars of Priestly Formation

Being a priest is not a job: it is a taking on a new identity; it is becoming alter Christus, another Christ. To this end, the Church requires rigorous formation in four key areas:

Human formation: learning how to form the future priests’ personality to be a bridge to Christ; how to be an effective public spokesperson for the Church.

Spiritual formation: developing a deep and mature relationship with Christ through prayer and virtuous living.

Intellectual formation: understanding the truths of the Faith and cultivating the skills to teach the Faith to others.

Pastoral formation: learning how to be a “shepherd of souls,” helping parishioners through the joys and trials of life.

During their formation, seminarians learn to put Christ first in all things.

 

Entering into the Seminary

Right out of high school: Young men who enter the Seminary right from high school are required to complete a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy (while attending the Seminary).  There is also room to take some electives during this program, as long as it does not interfere with the Seminary way of life. 

After completing an undergraduate elsewhere:  Men who already have an undergraduate degree, but with no background in Philosophy, may require to take some courses in Philosophy upon their entrance to the Seminary, before entering the Theology program. 

Theology Program: Because the academic reality of the Theology program is that seminarians study to receive a Masters of Divinity (M.Div), before entering the Theology program, an undergraduate degree is necessary. 

During your studies in Theology, you will also participate in the formation program of the Seminary, meeting with a Spiritual Director, communal times of prayer, and experiencing various outreach ministries at schools, hospitals and parishes.

The Theology program also includes a Pastoral Internship, where the Seminarian experiences one full year assigned to assist at a parish within the Diocese.

 

Installation of Ministries

Seminarians progress through several formal steps on their way to priesthood, typically in the timeframe presented below (with some variations, depending on the seminary).  

 

Ministry of Lector (after completing First Theology): The Seminarian is instituted by the Church to proclaim the word of God in a liturgical assembly and by the manner of his life.

Ministry of Acolyte (after completing Second Theology): The Seminarian is instituted by the Church to participate in liturgical functions, to assist the deacon and priest during Mass, and to distribute the Eucharist when necessary.

Admission to Candidacy (after successfully completing the Pastoral Internship): The bishop formally calls the Seminarian as a candidate to be ordained for the Diocese.

Ordination to Diaconate:  (after completing the Masters of Divinity) The Seminarian is ordained a Transitional Deacon of the Church, who will now proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach, baptize, witness marriages, and assist the priest in bringing Jesus to people in need.

Ordination to Priesthood (after completing the Deacon Year in preparation for the Priesthood):  The Deacon, after having been deemed worthy and acceptable by his Bishop and the Seminary faculty, is now ordained to the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ and is given an appointment to serve in the Diocese by his Bishop.