Dimensions of the formation

at the Ars Seminary

Steps

Daily life

In the Gospel, we see that Jesus chose his Apostles: “He called those whom he wished. They came to him, and he chose twelve to be with him and he sent them to preach.” (Mk 3:13) Jesus asks those whom he chooses to leave everything and follow him.

A COMPLETE AND QUALITY FORMATION

The International Seminary of Ars closely follows the Ratio Studiorum, the Roman document which gives shape to the formation of future priests. We seek to develop the four dimensions of formation, as seen below, in such a way that each seminarian prepares himself best for his future life as a priest. The formation is also marked by what is specific to the Society of St John-Mary Vianney. We seek to form future priests who, like the Curé of Ars, burn with missionary zeal for the salvation of the world. Therefore, we believe in the strength of fraternal life which is an integral part of the formation we offer, and in the central place of prayer. Thus, the formation of the first years invites us to be pillars of prayer so that our relationship to Christ is at the centre of our activities. Progressively, through the formation course, we become familiar with the pastoral life, which is the final aim of seminary life.

Training diocesan

priests according to

the objectives and

directives of the Church

DIMENSIONS OF THE FORMATION

The International Seminary of Ars closely follows the Ratio Studiorum, the Roman document which gives shape to the formation of future priests. We seek to develop the four dimensions of formation, as seen below, in such a way that each seminarian prepares himself best for his future life as a priest. The formation is also marked by what is specific to the Society of St John-Mary Vianney. We seek to form future priests who, like the Curé of Ars, burn with missionary zeal for the salvation of the world. Therefore, we believe in the strength of fraternal life which is an integral part of the formation we offer, and in the central place of prayer. Thus, the formation of the first years invites us to be pillars of prayer so that our relationship to Christ is at the centre of our activities. Progressively, through the formation course, we become familiar with the pastoral life, which is the final aim of seminary life.

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Intellectual formation

The mission of the priest is to announce the Good News. This requires and inner deep knowledge of the faith of the Church. Linking with the spiritual life, academic work is an important dimension of the formation of the future priest. The seminarians of the International Seminary of Ars are helped, stimulated and accompanied so that each one can give the best of himself, taking into account his ability. In this way they are made able to announce to every person the truth which sets them free. Philosophy, the study of the Bible, theology and many other subjects (spirituality, moral theology, liturgy, history, pastoral theology, study of other religions…) are taught so as to allow them to develop a personal and structured faith, along the lines of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.

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Spiritual formation

The disciples asked Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray”. The first years at the International Seminary of Ars, and in particular the propaedeutic year, offer the future priest in formation a real initiation into personal and liturgical prayer, the foundation of every life consecrated to the Lord. It is deepened year on year, leading to an authentic interior life. So each person is able to understand the call of the Lord and to respond to him, offering oneself in love.

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Human formation

In order to save the world, God became Man in Jesus Christ. The priest is called to carry out his ministry using all the dimensions of his humanity. It is therefore important that he develops a balanced and solid personality, open to others. In this way, he will be able to commit himself to celibacy, consecrated for the mission. Community life is an essential dimension of the formation of the future priest. The seminary is first of all a big family and, in the spirit of the SJMV, the seminarians are divided up into small fraternities of 6 to 8 members, with a priest, in order to pray, share, carry out various forms of community service and, above all, live as brothers. Leisure and sport have a place at the International Seminary of Ars too!

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Pastoral formation

The aim of the International Seminary of Ars is to form pastors who, following Christ, want to serve and give their lives for the mission. This requires an ardent desire to announce the Gospel and an authentic love of God and people, so as to be able to respond to their needs today. The Curé of Ars loved to say: “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus!” Pastoral formation is taken on little by little, in the following ways: presence in a parish, catechesis, apostolic activities during the holidays, experience of different situations in the Church…



SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The disciples asked Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray”. The first years at the International Seminary of Ars, and in particular the propaedeutic year, offer the future priest in formation a real initiation into personal and liturgical prayer, the foundation of every life consecrated to the Lord. It is deepened year on year, leading to an authentic interior life. So each person is able to understand the call of the Lord and to respond to him, offering oneself in love.



PASTORAL FORMATION

The aim of the International Seminary of Ars is to form pastors who, following Christ, want to serve and give their lives for the mission. This requires an ardent desire to announce the Gospel and an authentic love of God and people, so as to be able to respond to their needs today. The Curé of Ars loved to say: “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus!” Pastoral formation is taken on little by little, in the following ways: presence in a parish, catechesis, apostolic activities during the holidays, experience of different situations in the Church…



INTELLECTUAL FORMATION

The mission of the priest is to announce the Good News. This requires and inner deep knowledge of the faith of the Church. Linking with the spiritual life, academic work is an important dimension of the formation of the future priest. The seminarians of the International Seminary of Ars are helped, stimulated and accompanied so that each one can give the best of himself, taking into account his ability. In this way they are made able to announce to every person the truth which sets them free. Philosophy, the study of the Bible, theology and many other subjects (spirituality, moral theology, liturgy, history, pastoral theology, study of other religions…) are taught so as to allow them to develop a personal and structured faith, along the lines of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.



HUMAN FORMATION

In order to save the world, God became Man in Jesus Christ. The priest is called to carry out his ministry using all the dimensions of his humanity. It is therefore important that he develops a balanced and solid personality, open to others. In this way, he will be able to commit himself to celibacy, consecrated for the mission. Community life is an essential dimension of the formation of the future priest. The seminary is first of all a big family and, in the spirit of the SJMV, the seminarians are divided up into small fraternities of 6 to 8 members, with a priest, in order to pray, share, carry out various forms of community service and, above all, live as brothers. Leisure and sport have a place at the International Seminary of Ars too!

“Community life is not, above all, a strategy to respond to needs. Nor is it, in itself, only a form of help in the face of the loneliness and weakness of man… Community life is an expression of the gift of Christ, which is the Church, and is prefigured in the apostolic community, which gave birth to priests. Effectively, each priest does not give something which is his own property, but participates with his brothers in a sacramental gift which comes directly from Jesus.”

Benedict XVI