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Seminarians
Seminarians
Who Are Seminarians?
Seminarians are men discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood and undergoing formal training in seminaries. They are typically single, Catholic men who feel called to serve as priests and are sponsored by a diocese or religious order. Their formation prepares them spiritually, intellectually, humanly, and pastorally to become ordained priests, embodying the mission of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Formation Process
The journey to priesthood typically spans 6–8 years and is divided into stages, as outlined by the Vatican’s Ratio Fundamentalis (2016) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Program of Priestly Formation (6th ed., 2022)
1. Propaedeutic Stage (1–2 years): Focuses on prayer, spiritual grounding, and community life.
2. Discipleship Stage (2–3 years): Deepens theological study (often philosophy for undergraduates) and personal faith.
3. Configuration Stage (3–4 years): Integrates priestly identity with advanced theology (Master of Divinity or equivalent).
4. Vocational Synthesis Stage (6 months–1 year): Practical pastoral experience, often as a transitional deacon.
