Stages of Formation for the Priesthood

Formation for the priesthood begins with a focus on the seminarian’s relationship with Jesus Christ. After becoming a disciple of Christ at his Baptism, formation allows a man to grow as a disciple who is discerning and preparing for ordained ministry. The gradual development of the future priest has holiness as its goal, to become configured to Christ, Head and Shepherd, Servant and Spouse.

While the 5th edition of the Program of Priestly Formation spoke of college seminary, pre-theology, and major seminary, the 6th edition, following the Ratio, speaks of stages. There are four stages of initial formation: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration, and Vocational Synthesis.

Propaedeutic

• Lays the foundation for the human and spiritual dimensions of formation.
• For those without a college degree (Associates or Bachelors), the seminarians will attend a college seminary, such as Our Lady of Providence Seminary to complete this first stage of formation, 1 to 2 years.
• For those with college degrees, they will be admitted into a major seminary, such as St. John Seminary or St. Meinrad. Upon the completion of the Propaedeutic Year, the seminarian will enter the next stage of formation (the Discipleship Stage).

Discipleship

• In the Discipleship Stage, which has a minimum requirement of 2 years, there is a systematic and rigorous formation that stresses the core objective 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.
• During this stage, the seminarian will undertake and complete his philosophical studies.

Configuration

• 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.
• 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 in the liturgy, catechesis, evangelization, and active service to the poor.
• The end of this stage is marked by completion of all theological studies and formal seminary formation. This program is 3.5 years long

Vocational Synthesis

• The Vocational Synthesis Stage is the period of formation between diaconal and priestly ordinations.
• Once formal seminary formation has been completed, it is intended primarily as a time not of evaluation, but of integration and transition into one’s diocese or ecclesiastical entity 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 (usually the parish where he will eventually serve upon priestly ordination).