The formation steps
Time and space to discern his own vocation
Aspects
Daily life
“Form missonary disciples who are ‘in love’ with the Master, sheperds ‘with the smell of the sheep’, who live in their midst to bring the mercy of Go to them.”
Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis
THE PREPARATORY YEAR
The propaedeutic year is both a year of discovery and a spiritual and doctrinal formation students are able to understand. They can fully assess this initial call to priesthood which is present in their hearts. They are not yet seminarists and no matter what the outcome of the year will be they still benefit from a basic Christian formation and from a taste of a more substantial engagement towards faith.
A close encounter with Christ is, in any case, achieved. Benedict XVI said : “It is only in experiencing Christ personally that a young man can understand His will and as a result, his own vocation. The more you get to know Jesus, the more attracted you become to His Mystery, the more you meet Him and the more you search for Him. It is a state of the spirit which lasts for a whole lifetime”.
Time and space
to discern his
own vocation
THE FIRST CYCLE : foundations of a sacerdotal life
The first cycle follows on from the preparatory year (propaedeutic). The ascertainment of the vocation deepens and the seminarist grows as a human being, spiritually and intellectually. Philosophy holds pride of place to develop intelligence but other disciplines are also studied : The Scriptures, fundamental theology and the history of the Church’s dogma, patrology, liturgy and spirituality.
THE SECOND CYCLE : preparation for the Ministry
The second cycle is a three year period. It is centred on the theological and pastoral formation: biblical, dogmatic, moral, liturgic, historic and canonic. It is a more immediate preparation for the presbyteral ministry in the diocese.
Before his ordination, the deacon goes through a yearlong placement in a parish. He returns to the seminary one week a month to share and deepen his early pastoral experiences. Placements can happen throughout the formation.
THE FORMATION STEPS
The propaedeutic year is both a year of discovery and a spiritual and doctrinal formation students are able to understand. They can fully assess this initial call to priesthood which is present in their hearts. They are not yet seminarists and no matter what the outcome of the year will be they still benefit from a basic Christian formation and from a taste of a more substantial engagement towards faith.
A close encounter with Christ is, in any case, achieved. Benedict XVI said : “It is only in experiencing Christ personally that a young man can understand His will and as a result, his own vocation. The more you get to know Jesus, the more attracted you become to His Mystery, the more you meet Him and the more you search for Him. It is a state of the spirit which lasts for a whole lifetime”.
THE FIRST CYCLE
The first cycle follows on from the preparatory year (propaedeutic). The ascertainment of the vocation deepens and the seminarist grows as a human being, spiritually and intellectually. Philosophy holds pride of place to develop intelligence but other disciplines are also studied : The Scriptures, fundamental theology and the history of the Church’s dogma, patrology, liturgy and spirituality.
THE SECOND CYCLE
The second cycle is a three year period. It is centred on the theological and pastoral formation: biblical, dogmatic, moral, liturgic, historic and canonic. It is a more immediate preparation for the presbyteral ministry in the diocese.
Before his ordination, the deacon goes through a yearlong placement in a parish. He returns to the seminary one week a month to share and deepen his early pastoral experiences. Placements can happen throughout the formation.
