Stages of Seminary Formation
Growth in Holiness
the gradual development of the future priest
While the 5th edition of the Program of Priestly Formation spoke of college seminary, pre-theology, and major seminary, the 6th edition, following the latest Ratio Fundamentalis, speaks of stages. There are four stages of initial formation: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration, and Vocational Synthesis (PPF, 117).
A more detailed description of each stage of formation will be shared as they are developed. Currently the timeline for implementation of each stage is: Fall 2024 for the Propaedeutic Stage; Fall 2025 for the Discipleship and Configuration Stage; and Spring 2026 for the Vocational Synthesis Stage. As the new stages begin the Seminary will continue to communicate our progress and growth toward the full implementation of the Program of Priestly Formation, sixth edition, and its benchmarks.
The Propaedeutic Stage
A Solid foundation for a new way of life
Since formation is a lifelong journey, it is important to lay a solid foundation for this journey in the Propaedeutic Stage, especially in the human and spiritual dimensions. Thus “the Propaedeutic Stage is an indispensable phase of formation with its own specific character” (Ratio Fundamentalis, no. 59) This stage allows the seminarian to lay a foundation for a new way of life through prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation (PPF, 120).
The Discipleship Stage
growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus
In the Discipleship Stage, which must not last less than two years, there is a systematic and rigorous formation that has at its core the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the life of meditation, contemplation, philosophical study, and the training of one’s character in Christian virtue (PPF, 132).
The Configuration Stage
deepening the self-configuration to Christ
In the Configuration Stage, the seminarian models his life on the self-donation of Jesus Christ, Shepherd and Servant, as he prepares more immediately for Holy Orders. “This configuration demands that the seminarian enter profoundly into the contemplation of the person of Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of the Father, sent as Shepherd of the People of God. It will make the relationship with Christ more intimate and personal and, at the same time, will lead to an awareness and an assumption of priestly identity” (Ratio Fundamentalis, no. 88). Reception of Candidacy, and conferral of the ministries of lector and acolyte occurs during this stage, marking the progressive deepening of this self-configuration to Christ both liturgically and in catechesis, evangelization, and active service to the poor (PPF, 135).
The Vocational Synthesis Stage
Integration and transition into the diocese
The Vocational Synthesis Stage is the period of formation between diaconal and priestly ordinations. Since formal seminary formation has been completed, it is intended primarily as a time not of evaluation, but of integration and transition into the diocese in which the deacon is preparing to serve. This stage is a gradual realization of the cleric’s responsibility for the care of souls while he resides full-time in a pastoral setting (PPF, 138).