Propaedeutic Stage

Cardinal Glennon College

The Propaedeutic Stage at Cardinal Glennon College is integrated into the regular four-year college seminary program. In particular, the first two years of college seminary (i.e., freshman and sophomore year) comprise the Propaedeutic Stage. This stage at Cardinal Glennon College is truly distinct in its formational aspects (e.g., seminars, studies, schedule, etc.) without being separate from the wider college community. During these years, the college seminarian, with the assistance of the Propaedeutic Formator, receives more intentional and focused formation, so as to meet the goals outlined in the Program of Priestly Formation.

  • During the Propaedeutic Stage, human formation consists chiefly in acquiring self-knowledge through trusting and vulnerable relationships forged in prayer, spiritual direction, formation, counseling, and friendship (PPF 6, no. 119).

    Components of the Propaedeutic Stage include:

    • Communal living

    • Formation Meetings

    • Growth Counseling

    • Growth Plan

    • Fraternity Days

    • Solitude and community

    • Technology fast

    • Chores

    • Process Groups

    • The Propaedeutic Seminar

    • Growth Reflections

  • “The seminarian is called ‘to live in intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit.’ This is the foundational call to discipleship and conversion of heart. Those who aspire to be sent on mission, as the apostles were, must first acquire the listening and learning heart of disciples. Jesus invited these apostles to come to him before he sent them out to others” (PPF 6, no. 226).

    Components of Spiritual Formation in the Propaedeutic Stage include:

    • Daily Mass

    • Daily Recitation of the Divine Office

    • Spiritual Direction

    • Days of Recollection

    • Annual Silent Directed Retreat

    • Lectio Divina

    • Marian Devotion

    • Promotion of a rich devotional life

  • In the Propaedeutic Stage at Cardinal Glennon College, seminarians will pursue a limited and targeted study of the liberal arts (PPF 6, no. 129-130). “A sound liberal arts education for seminarians provides multiple benefits. The study of the natural world and of humanity in all its historical and cultural diversity represents a significant value in its own right” (PPF 6, no. 274). Additionally, during this stage, seminarians will “acquire an initial and overall familiarity with Christian doctrine by studying the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’” (RF, no. 59). “Teaching new seminarians the basics of priestly identity and spirituality is also a chief aim of the intellectual formation of this stage. Seminarians should obtain an introductory knowledge of the Bible that equips them to thoughtfully read and pray with Sacred Scripture.

  • Though the program of formation at Cardinal Glennon College constitutes the earliest stages of priestly formation, college seminarians are, nevertheless, encouraged to engage in pastoral formation proper to their stage of formation.

    Propaedeutic I
    The service of first-year college seminarians focuses on learning and honing basic communication skills in the context of visiting the elderly. The seminarian is successively introduced to those living independently, elders residing in a retirement apartment complex needing assistance, and the chronically ill and acutely ill residing in a nursing home.

    Propaedeutic II
    The service of second-year college seminarians focuses on the more serious behavioral and environmental problems of youth. The problem areas chosen for the program are delinquency, troubled homes, and some of the more common problems of socialization.

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Discipleship Stage