Priestly Formation
Young men who have completed high school come to Cardinal Glennon College to discern a call to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. The College Seminary bases its program of formation on Pastores Dabo Vobis, the apostolic exhortation on the formation of priests by Pope John Paul II, Program for Priestly Formation by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and on the expectations which tradition and experience have shown to be beneficial for growth and development in candidates for the priesthood.
By joining Cardinal Glennon College, a man is responsible for participating in four basic components of seminary formation: spiritual, intellectual, human and pastoral formation.
It is at the seminary—the “seed bed” of prayer, study and reflection—where a young man quiets himself to respond generously to the Lord who may be calling him to share in His gift of the priesthood. In homilies to young people and seminarians, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have addressed specifically the importance of listening and responding to God’s call:
- Concluding Words of the Homily of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, to the Youth of St. Louis during His Pastoral Visit, January 26, 1999
- Concluding Words of the Homily of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, during the Solemn Mass of the Inauguration of His Pontificate, St. Peter’s Square, April 24, 2005
- Homily of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, addressed to Seminarians attending World Youth Day in St. Pantaleon's Church (Cologne, Germany), on August 19, 2005
Formation Sections:
