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Home > PROGRAMS
Programs of StudyProgram for Priestly Formation
In the introduction to his foundational 1992 statement on the priesthood, I Will Give You Shepherds, Pope John Paul II writes: “The formation of future priests, both diocesan and religious, and life-long assiduous care for their personal sanctification in the ministry and for the constant updating of their pastoral commitment are considered by the Church one of the most demanding and important tasks for the future of the evangelization of humanity” (#2). Christ the King Seminary accepts the challenge of this “demanding and important” task. To fulfill the specific task of preparation for priestly ministry, the Seminary program is devoted to four areas of formation that Pope John Paul delineates in his statement: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.
In the area of human formation, each candidate undergoes an assessment even before entry into the Seminary program. This assessment by the Seminary staff, with the assistance of psychologists well informed about the mission and ministry of priests, determines that candidates are mature adults capable of taking on the responsibilities of priestly service. Once accepted into the seminary program, each seminarian continues to receive formation in human qualities of self-identity and social skills, many of which are listed in I Will Give You Shepherds.
Spiritual formation refers to the development of a strong Christian identity and interiority. A man who is to preside at liturgy, offer pastoral service, and be a constant witness to Christian doctrine and values must act out of an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus and with the Father and the Holy Spirit whom Jesus reveals. Grounded in this relationship with God, the seminarian must nurture a life of personal prayer and an intense commitment to serve God’s people, always within the strong bonds of the Catholic community. An integral part of his personal relationship with the triune God and his pastoral commitment to the church and the specific members he is called to serve is the priest’s commitment to celibate chastity. Since this presents special challenges, it receives special emphasis in the spiritual formation program of the Seminary.
Candidates for priestly service must have an ability to delve into the rich doctrinal and theological tradition of the Catholic Church. Sufficient academic background is one part of preparation for intellectual formation. Further preparation may also be necessary in catechetical training and in an understanding of philosophy, particularly as it has been and can be of service for theological thinking. Theological study itself comprises at least four years and usually is completed with a Master of Divinity degree.
The capstone of seminary formation of priestly candidates is extensive and varied training for the pastoral work to which priests commit their lives. This training is partly academic, with courses in pastoral theology and counseling, liturgical training, and canon law. Just as important is pastoral practice, which is taught by assigning students to various pastoral settings under close and expert supervision.
Throughout their seminary training, candidates for priestly ordination are continually reminded that they must assume responsibility beyond ordination for their ongoing formation in all four areas, and that this ongoing formation must be a personal responsibility not just for a few years, but for one’s entire lifetime.
View the diocesan vocations page at www.buffalovocations.org
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