Formation at the Seminary
As Pope St. John Paul II described, “priestly formation is an integral journey in which the four dimensions of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation are woven together in such a way that, while identified as distinct dimensions, they can be seen as an ‘integrated journey of the disciple called to priesthood’” (PDV, n. 60).
In June of 2022, the United States Bishop’s Conference promulgated the sixth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation, a document that governs all seminary formation in the United States. With this came some significant changes and develops of the structure and staging of seminary formation. What was previously a two-staged process (Pre-Theology and Theology) is now described in four:
Propaedeutic Stage
SJV has expanded its Propaedeutic Stage to an optional three-year model to include men entering the seminary who lack undergraduate degrees, have minimal to no college experience, or who need growth in other formation areas before beginning the Discipleship Stage. This Propaedeutic model will include one to two years of “full-time academic studies of a general nature (without philosophical studies, which are restricted to the Discipleship stage)” (PPF, p. 125). The final year of the Propaedeutic Stage is our signature “Spirituality Year.” This dedicated period of time seeks to withdraw men from the world in order to deepen their interior life with Jesus Christ and prepare them for the years of formation to come. Two important milestones of the year are the poverty immersion in January and the 30-day silent retreat that concludes the year in June. Men in the Spirituality Year reside in a separate community, located in a separate building on the north side of the seminary campus.
Discipleship Stage
The second stage of formation moves the men from the Spirituality Year house to parish houses with priest formators. This stage seeks to provide a “systematic and rigorous formation that has as its core the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ” (PPF, p. 132). This period builds on the foundation of the prior stage and is dedicated to the discernment and confirmation of the priesthood; one that culminates with the call to candidacy by the bishop. The central academic focus of this stage is philosophical studies; it contains a variety of theological, linguistic and liberal arts courses. From a pastoral perspective, men engage apostolates that focus upon the corporal works of mercy.
Configuration Stage
This third stage of seminary formation seeks to aid the man “to model his life on the self-donation of Jesus Christ…as he prepares more immediately for Holy Orders” (PPF, p. 135). Throughout these years, seminarians continue to live in parish houses. The principal course of study in this stage is theology, though it likewise contains language, history, law, etc. From a pastoral perspective, men engage apostolates that focus upon the spiritual works of mercy. This stage, usually lasting three and a half years, concludes with the election and ordination of the seminarian to the transitional diaconate.
Vocational Synthesis Stage
The final stage of priestly formation begins after the man’s ordination to the diaconate. At this point, with his studies and seminary formation complete, he moves from the seminary and spends a final six months in preparation for the priesthood in a non-academic setting. Men from outside Denver will return to their home dioceses. While concluding their studies at SJV, resources such as spiritual direction and growth counseling will continue to be provided. In the end, the key to the final stage is that by immersion in the pastorate, the man may begin to integrate the formation he has received and allow it to catalyze into a priestly gift of self. At SJV, this stage will be introduced in the spring of 2027.
Vision Prayer
Through Him, with Him, in Him, in brotherhood we strive to be discipled by Jesus in all things and to embrace joyfully His Cross, to be ordained and sent as priests for the New Evangelization, inspired by the zeal of Saint John Vianney. Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us!
