Sixth edition of priestly formation change
Helping seminarians in their human formation

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator
Seminarians of the Diocese of Sioux City headed off for studies this fall as they always have, but this year they are doing so in the scope of a revised Program of Priestly Formation.
In a June 2023 memo to diocesan clergy from Father Shane Deman, diocesan director of seminarians and vice rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, he explained that the U.S. bishops had released the sixth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation a year earlier and it was set for implementation at the start of this academic year.
“Recent decades have seen priestly formation unfold according to philosophy studies in college seminary or in a pre-theology program, followed by theology studies in a graduate seminary program,” he explained. “However, the church is now embracing a new structure of seminary formation.”
Content and Design Coordinator
Seminarians of the Diocese of Sioux City headed off for studies this fall as they always have, but this year they are doing so in the scope of a revised Program of Priestly Formation.
In a June 2023 memo to diocesan clergy from Father Shane Deman, diocesan director of seminarians and vice rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, he explained that the U.S. bishops had released the sixth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation a year earlier and it was set for implementation at the start of this academic year.
“Recent decades have seen priestly formation unfold according to philosophy studies in college seminary or in a pre-theology program, followed by theology studies in a graduate seminary program,” he explained. “However, the church is now embracing a new structure of seminary formation.”
Four stagesThe stages include:
Propaedeutic Stage – preparation period for greater self-awareness through personal healing and development of prayer for a minimum of one year. Discipleship Stage – period of greater self-acceptance with evidence of a life of virtue and philosophy studies. Configuration Stage – period of greater self-possession, along with growth in evangelization / catechesis skills and theological studies. Vocational Synthesis Stage – period of a man’s diaconal service as a cleric and integration into a presbyterate and parish ministry. “Men who are applying to seminary have different needs than in previous generations and the updated plans for formation are designed to respond to these needs,” said Father Deman. He pointed out that many men feel a draw toward the seminary with perhaps an inadequate prayer life, little support from family members or friends along with carrying wounds inflicted by today’s culture through pornography and drug/alcohol abuse. “To help better equip these seminarians in their human formation and basic understanding of our Catholic tradition, the church is asking that men first enter a propaedeutic experience as a means of preparation before philosophy studies are begun,” said the director of seminarians. “This change is to help facilitate a smoother transition out of a busy, technology-driven culture and into a period of greater self-awareness and self-acceptance before launching into formal studies.” The Diocese of Sioux City presently has three seminarians in the propaedeutic stage – two in the initial propaedeutic stage and another in propaedeutic two. Brian Schmit of Hospers applied for the seminary after his first year of college. He is in the propaedeutic stage and is studying at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota. He said he has found value in this stage. “I think overall I have more time for true discernment about the vocation of the priesthood through daily Mass, prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours,” said the seminarian. “Just being around other guys who are serious about the faith and are also discerning the vocation of the priesthood is helpful because we can help each other out in our journeys.” Schmit has also found it helpful to be able to talk things through with the formators and a spiritual advisor. During this stage, formation focuses particularly on the human and spiritual dimensions, which “allows the seminarians to lay a foundation for a new way of life by developing a life of prayer, study, fraternity and appropriate docility to formation.” (Program of Priestly Formation 120) The diocesan seminarian said he found it helpful to arrive in Winona in July and get used to seminary life before classes started. |
Building a foundation
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