Why select the seminary of Ars ?
Steps
Daily life
In the Gospel, we witness Jesus selecting His Apostles by calling to Him those He wanted. They went to Him and He appointed twelve of them. He instructed them to go and spread the Good Word (Mk 3-13). Jesus asked them to leave everything behind and follow Him.
First and foremost
to search for Christ…
The propaedeutic year whilst being a year of ascertainment and basic essential formation is also a year of spiritual foundation. Men are here to deepen their relationship with Christ, they gradually become friends. The fact that Ars is located in the open countryside plays an important part in the formation. It is a grace to enter the desert! It probably is a positive aspect for those who enjoy fresh air and sport. For all, in anycase it prevents unnecessary distractions and help foster close intimacy with the One who keeps us alive !
It is indeed no small matter to come and train with the Holy Patron of priests (as mentioned by Pope Francis) and to live where he has ministered, thirty metres from the spot where he actually rests. His Holiness Pope John Paul II has visited the place. This is in Ars that he proclaimed that “the Priest of Ars is a role model for all priests, in all countries, representing both the holiness of the ministry and the holiness of the minister”.
… close to the Holy
Patron of priests…
…with a method
for ascertainement…
The seminary offers exceptional conditions for a true ascertainment: eight priest’s are on site. This allows for a great objectivity in the ascertainment of the vocation and for a wider choice of spiritual fathers amongst the priests.
The ascertainment period can be extended in time as a continuous assessment during the first cycle. It can be supervised by the same spiritual father if he is deemed suitable by the student. In this case, it enables to go deeper in the work and leaves ample time to structure a true spiritual life. The propaedeutic student benefits not only from the experience and expertise of the seminary priest but also has access to many specialist instructors intervening at the seminary.
The supervision frame doesn’t prevent the propaedeutic student from having their very own activities, special retreats, familiarisation courses for orison, and acquaintance with the world of the poor… Being in a seminary enables students to have the ultimate outcome of their formation (the priesthood) straight in front of them by coasting along their elders. The student is aware of the reality of his position as well as of the way forward for him. During the propaedeutic year, the student will discover a rich and liberating liturgy (when a student enters in propaedeutic, it is not rare that he doesn’t know how to sing !)
With the presence of many foreign seminarists sent by their bishops to train close to the Priest of Ars, one can already acquire a taste for the universality of the Church. Very constructive !
…by discovering the
universality of the Church…
… with brothers in
the spirit of the SJMV…
At the seminary, there is always a very intense and convivial fraternal life. It is a wonderful way of life to be adopted for the future too.
WHY ARS ?
First and foremost to search for Christ…
The propaedeutic year whilst being a year of ascertainment and basic essential formation is also a year of spiritual foundation. Men are here to deepen their relationship with Christ, they gradually become friends. The fact that Ars is located in the open countryside plays an important part in the formation. It is a grace to enter the desert! It probably is a positive aspect for those who enjoy fresh air and sport. For all, in anycase it prevents unnecessary distractions and help foster close intimacy with the One who keeps us alive !
… Close to the Holy Patron of priests
It is indeed no small matter to come and train with the Holy Patron of priests (as mentioned by Pope Francis) and to live where he has ministered, thirty metres from the spot where he actually rests. His Holiness Pope John Paul II has visited the place. This is in Ars that he proclaimed that “the Priest of Ars is a role model for all priests, in all countries, representing both the holiness of the ministry and the holiness of the minister”.
…with a method for ascertainement…
The seminary offers exceptional conditions for a true ascertainment: eight priest’s are on site. This allows for a great objectivity in the ascertainment of the vocation and for a wider choice of spiritual fathers amongst the priests.
The ascertainment period can be extended in time as a continuous assessment during the first cycle. It can be supervised by the same spiritual father if he is deemed suitable by the student. In this case, it enables to go deeper in the work and leaves ample time to structure a true spiritual life. The propaedeutic student benefits not only from the experience and expertise of the seminary priest but also has access to many specialist instructors intervening at the seminary.
The supervision frame doesn’t prevent the propaedeutic student from having their very own activities, special retreats, familiarisation courses for orison, and acquaintance with the world of the poor… Being in a seminary enables students to have the ultimate outcome of their formation (the priesthood) straight in front of them by coasting along their elders. The student is aware of the reality of his position as well as of the way forward for him. During the propaedeutic year, the student will discover a rich and liberating liturgy (when a student enters in propaedeutic, it is not rare that he doesn’t know how to sing !)
…by discovering the universality of the Church…
With the presence of many foreign seminarists sent by their bishops to train close to the Priest of Ars, one can already acquire a taste for the universality of the Church. Very constructive !
… with brothers in the spirit of the SJMV…
At the seminary, there is always a very intense and convivial fraternal life. It is a wonderful way of life to be adopted for the future too.
