Pastoral Formation

“The apostolic program should provide students with experiences of service that will promote their growth as mature persons and as active Catholics.”
(Program of Priestly Formation #181)

During the college years the seminarians are provided various weekly opportunities for Christian service outside the college community. They include ministry to the sick and elderly, troubled youths, and children. Reflection upon these experiences should focus attention on compassion for the suffering, sensitivity for the poor, and the importance of the catechetical work of the Church.

Competent supervision is provided in each experience of service. Seminarians are evaluated on a regular basis to monitor and encourage their developing pastoral skills. Significant incidents in ministry are recorded in a personal journal for further personal development.

Freshman Year

Freshman year focuses on learning about the elderly. The goal is to bring the seminarian to an awareness of the elderly people in our society. The seminarian is successively introduced to various types of elderly; those living independently, elderly residing in a retirement apartment complex needing assistance, the chronically ill and acutely ill residing in a nursing home.

Sophomore Year

The goal of Sophomore year is to acquaint the seminarian with some of the more serious behavioral and environmental problems of youth. The problem areas chosen for the program are delinquency, problem homes, and some of the more common problems of socialization.

Junior Year

The goal of the Junior year program is to acquaint the seminarian with the poor and with those who help the poor. Lectures, practicum, journal keeping and reflection meetings achieve this. A variety of experiences help the seminarians to come to an understanding of the root causes of poverty, powerlessness and the need for systemic change.

Senior Year

Senior year concentrates on learning about the teaching apostolate. Class lecture, practicum, journal keeping and reflection meetings achieve the goal of the program. During the year the seminarians attend periodic classes on methods of teaching religion. Throughout the entire year they keep a journal of their experiences. These are shared with the supervisor and the group.