Formation and the Path to Priesthood
What is Formation?
Seminary Formation is the process required in order to prepare a man to be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ. This involves years of prayer, study, service, and growth as a man in order to properly shape him into the image of Christ that he desires to become. This road looks different for each man, depending on whether they begin formation immediately after high-school, after some college, or after having completed college.
God calls the young and the old, those with and without work experience, and so on. In any case, formation is required to shape the man to be able to live his life healthily in many aspects: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“The priest is not and must not be a civil servant of the Church. Above all the priest is a man who lives for the spirit for God. This being the case the Seminary is the place where he learns 'to be with Him.'“
— Saint Pope John Paul II
The Four Dimensions of Formation
In the formation process, four dimensions (or aspects / pillars) are considered when forming the man into the person of Christ. These four dimensions are known as (1) Human, (2) Spiritual, (3) Intellectual, and (4) Pastoral. All four are necessary components to living the Christian life well, and all four are used as a metric for every man’s “readiness” to be ordained.
Human Dimension
The foundation and center of all human formation is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The human personality of the priest is to be a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the human race. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 43)
Spiritual Dimension
The basic principle of spiritual formation is to live in intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. This is the foundational call to discipleship and conversion of heart. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 45.)
Intellectual Dimension
Disciples are learners. The first task of intellectual formation is to acquire a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fullness and completion of God’s revelation and the one Teacher. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 51)
Pastoral Dimension
Pastoral formation is the culmination of the entire formation process: “The whole formation imparted to candidates for the priesthood aims at preparing them to enter into communion with the charity of Christ the Good Shepherd. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 57)
The Four Dimensions Explained
Reed Bellingham, 3rd Year Theology
What exactly are the four pillars of formation, and how does a seminarian balance all four of them during his time in seminary? Reed Bellingham, one of our seminarians explains how to apply each of these into your life, as well as how the seminarians applies them into his formation.
Priestly formation today continues the call of Jesus, the response of his first disciples, and their communion of life.
— Program of Priestly Formation, 8.
The Path of Seminary Formation
Seminary Formation generally takes 6-8 years, depending on the man entering.
College Seminary (Philosophy)
For a man entering immediately after high-school, with no college credit, he would spend 4 years at a College Seminary to get his bachelor’s degree in philosophy. But unlike a secular college, a seminary college will also include formation seminars, a regular prayer schedule, apostolic assignments for service, and a community life devoted to virtue and genuine human development.
For a man entering during college, this may reduce these four years depending on which college credits would be accepted at the seminary college. The formation program, prayer life, and other aspects of formation are all encompassed into the given time for the man to complete a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
For a man entering after having graduated with a bachelor’s degree, he enters into what is called the Pre-Theology Program, a 2-year program to obtain an additional bachelor’s degree in philosophy, also including the other aspects of formation.
Major Seminary (Theology)
Following these 2-4 years of philosophical studies, the men proceed to a Major seminary, also known as a Theologate, to study theology for 4 years, continuing this same track of formation as before, with a slightly different change of pace regarding prayer, service, and human development within the community. In these years, the man begins to form himself to Christ in a particular way, beginning preparations for preaching, administering sacraments, and so on.
At this stage of formation, presumptions can begin to form about the man in the process of formation, such as his attitude of permanence and commitment to God calling him to a priestly vocation. In fact, at the very start of these four years, the seminarians will go through the rite of Candidacy, by which they formally declare their intention and desire to become a priest. This implies a certain level of commitment and dedication to the formation received so far, and for the path ahead.
The Formation Program
John Dugas, 3rd Year Theology
What is seminary life like? What exactly is the “formation program” involved for preparing for priesthood? Alex Lancon explains the process for both College Seminary and Major Seminary, for each man in formation.
Current Seminary Formation Locations
St. Joseph’s Abbey and Seminary College
College Seminary &
Pre-Theology Program
Covington, LA
Most of our seminarians attend St. Joseph’s Abbey and Seminary College to begin or complete their philosophy studies. Located on 1200 acres of woodlands and river, and surrounded by the spirituality of the Benedictine community, it is a wonderful place to begin formation for the priesthood.
Notre Dame Seminary, Grad. School of Theology
Major Seminary &
Pre-Theology Program
New Orleans, LA
In the busy city of New Orleans, Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School of Theology stands as a monument of priestly formation for dioceses throughout the Gulf South. As a major seminary, its mission is to pastorally form and theologically educate men to be future pastors of God’s flock.
Theological College
Catholic Univ. of America
Basselin Program &
Continuing Education
Washington D.C.
Theological College is a seminary located in Washington, DC that offers the opportunity to receive an excellent education at the Catholic University of America and breathe in the deep history of our nation. At Theological College, seminarians are called to deeply internalize priestly formation as their own, and so be conformed unto the priestly heart of Jesus Christ.
The Pontifical North American College
Major Seminary &
Continuing Education
Rome, Italy
Located just over the walls of Vatican City, the Pontifical North American College is purposed with forming its men in the very heart of the Catholic Church. Utilizing multiple universities, in both Italian and English, this provides a unique experience of being formed by the Church herself in Rome, among its many churches, its saints, and its history.