Editor’s note: This is the second of two columns on preparation for ordination to the priesthood. The first appeared in the April 3 edition.
The preparation for ordination to the priesthood is a long journey of seven to eight years. The major points of emphasis are spiritual, human, pastoral and intellectual formation. The four stages are the Propaedeutic Stage, the Discipleship Stage, the Configuration Stage and the Vocational Synthesis Stage. This column addresses the Configuration Stage and the Vocational Synthesis Stage.
The Configuration Stage is the third and longest stage on the road to priesthood. It is four years and spans Theology I to IV. The spiritual goal is for the priest-to-be to configure himself to Jesus, the great high priest, to think like Jesus thinks, to speak on behalf of Jesus, to serve and sacrifice with the generosity of Jesus, and to have a heart like Jesus. This configuration takes place by making prayer a central and indispensable part of each day with personal meditation and contemplation, a Holy Hour, the Liturgy of the Hours, daily Mass, Scripture reading, spiritual reading and theological reflection. Configuration also includes meetings with a spiritual director at least five times each semester, recollection days, conferences, seminars and an annual retreat.
Intellection formation is an integral part of the Configuration Stage. The curriculum includes all the requirements of the Program of Priestly Formation and leads to a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. A seminarian can pursue a dual degree and earn a Master of Arts in Theology (MAT) by fulfilling the more rigorous academic requirements for each course.
The academic program is comprehensive and covers many theological disciplines. Some of the major areas are doctrinal theology, including individual courses on the Trinity, Christology and Ecclesiology; Church history; pastoral ministry and pastoral counseling; courses that cover specific books or groups of related books of the Old and New Testaments; sacramental theology, with individual courses on the sacraments of initiation, the sacraments of healing, the Eucharist, marriage and the priesthood; moral theology and Christian ethics; Catholic social teaching; canon law; preaching or homiletics; and presiding for liturgy.
For J-term (the month of January between the first and second semesters), there are three trips: one to Mexico City to encounter the poor, the second to Rome to experience the universal Church, and the third to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
During the summer there is an eight-week practicum on ministry to the sick and suffering after the first year; multicultural ministry, language immersion, or a rural ministry practicum after the second year, and a 10-week deacon internship after the third year.
Pastoral formation is yet another major component of the Configuration Stage. The goal is for the seminarian to be a shepherd of souls, a servant of the community and the individuals in the community, to make and cultivate relationships in ministry, to apply his theological education in real life pastoral and liturgical circumstances, to reflect on his experience, and receive guidance and feedback to assist in his growth and development.
To achieve these objectives, each seminarian is assigned to a teaching parish for all four years in the seminary. He meets with the pastor, his supervisor, on a regular basis, usually weekly. A Teaching Parish Committee of about 10 parishioners is assembled, and the seminarian meets with his committee monthly. One Sunday a month is designated Teaching Parish Sunday. Initially, the seminarian attends Mass and socializes with the parishioners. Gradually his role expands as a lector and extraordinary minister of holy Communion, an instructor with the school, faith formation program, or the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Additional goals are to interact with the parish staff, the school faculty and the youth group, and serve in other ways where there may be a special need or where the seminarian has a special interest or talent.
Human formation is another dimension of the Configuration Stage. The seminarian meets with his formation director at least five times each semester to attend to his personal well-being, with particular attention to self-care and healthy relationships.
The Vocational Synthesis Stage is the fourth and final stage of initial formation for the priesthood. This stage is a new requirement of the Program of Priestly Formation; it will be implemented in the coming years, will begin after ordination to the diaconate, and last a minimum of six months. The goal is to help the transitional deacon navigate the change from seminary life and academics to full-time ministry in a parish setting.
Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
