The intellectual life exists in a reciprocal relationship with the spiritual life, each enabling the other to reach greater depths. At the heart of this intellectual formation is the aim to develop more and more a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. It expands upon the normal intellectual catechesis of all faithful, and will serve not only the priest’s personal life of faith but all those to whom he ministers as well. The priest must be able to draw upon a rich understanding of the faith, apply it to his knowledge of the human condition, and communicate it effectively.
This formation is absolutely essential for the teaching office of the priesthood. The priest will draw the knowledge gained during seminary (as well as continuing education) to articulate and expound upon the traditions and mysteries of the faith, especially when preaching. A sound intellectual background will also safeguard the priest from error and root him firmly in fidelity to Sacred Tradition and ecclesial leadership, particularly the Holy Father and the diocesan Bishop.
Intellectual formation begins with a broad liberal arts background and a strong foundation in philosophy that will serve as the groundwork for later theological courses.
'The study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is.'
St. Thomas Aquinas
Why study philosophy?
Seminarians spend a great deal of time developing a deep knowledge of philosophy. Philosophy deals with humanity’s greatest questions: who we are, where we come from, why we are here, and what our purpose is. As Christianity has developed, the Church fathers and other theologians have drawn upon philosophical concepts and approaches to better understand (but not to replace) their faith. It is therefore necessary to have a foundation of philosophy to understand the terms, approaches, and concepts employed in Christian doctrines.
The study of philosophy allows seminarians to understand and respond to alternative movements in the world. If a priest is confronted with a new philosophical movement (i.e., a new age religion) he can respond to it intelligently, with a keen awareness of the underlying philosophical issues involved.
“We study so that we can explain the truth of Christ to the world.”
“Our goal is to learn to reason like Christ.”
Sample Courses of Study
The schedule of courses below provides a sample of what a seminarian’s study might look like. Each seminarian’s program will be different depending on his background and interests.
If you enter seminary straight out of high school or while still in college, you attend a minor seminary. The focus here is on building a foundation for studying the faith, centered on philosophy and foundation courses. Upon graduation seminarians leave with an accredited Bachelor’s degree.
| FALL Latin I Writing I Voice Classical Aristotelian Logic Faith and Reason Virtue: Transformation in Christ |
SPRING Latin II Writing II Biology Wellness and Fitness Ancient Philosophy Rhetoric, Poetics, and Communications |
| FALL Latin III Western Civilization I Ancient Literature Euclidian Geometry Medieval Philosophy Philosophical Anthropology |
SPRING Latin IV Western Civilization II Science: Physics/Astronomy Epistemology Modern Philosophy Ethics |
| FALL Spanish I Theological Foundations U.S. History & The Catholic Church Philosophy of Nature Contemporary Philosophy Non-Western Course |
SPRING Spanish II Jesus Christ and the Church Medieval through Early Modern Literature Physical Education Metaphysics Humanities Elective |
| FALL Spanish III Liturgy, Sacraments, and Christian Prayer Natural Theology/Philosophy of God Latin American History Humanities Seminar I |
SPRING Spanish IV Psychology Fine Arts Catholic Literature Humanities Elective |
Upon completion of the college program seminarians advance directly to the Theology program (major seminary).
Seminarians who have a college degree attend major seminary. If their undergraduate degree does not provide a sufficient foundation for this work (i.e., they did not study Catholic philosophy), they begin with a 2 year “Pre-Theology” program that leads to an accredited Master of Arts degree, and then progress to Theology 1.
| FALL Logical Analysis Ancient Philosophy The Creed in History and Theology Ecclesiastical Latin I |
SPRING Medieval Philosophy Philosophy of Nature and Man Human Development and Christian Maturity Word and Interpretation |
| FALL Ethics and Natural Law Philosophy of Knowledge Modern Philosophy Introduction to Biblical Studies |
SPRING Political Philosophy Contemporary Philosophy Natural Theology MA Concluding Exercise Seminar |
Upon completion of the pre-theology program seminarians advance to the Theology program.
When a seminarian has the necessary foundation (generally having finished either college seminary or pre-theology), they begin the 4 year “Theology” program. At the end of the 4 years all seminarians receive an accredited Master of Divinity degree (in addition, God willing, to being ordained).
| FALL Foundational Theology Liturgical Theology Pentateuch and Historical Books Early Church History History and Culture of the Church in the Americas Ministry Formation |
SPRING God & the Human Person Sacramental Theology and Sacraments of Initiation Paul in Early Christianity Medieval Church History Ministry Formation Elective |
| FALL Christology & Mariology Fundamental Moral Theology Synoptic Gospels and Acts Modern Church History Ministry Formation |
SPRING Ecclesiology and Ecumenism Foundations in Homiletics Pastoral Care and Counseling Canon Law I Ministry Formation Elective |
| FALL Trinity Advanced Homiletics The Catechetical Ministry Canon Law II Advanced Homiletics Practicum Ministry Formation Elective |
SPRING Sacrament of Marriage Catholic Social Ethics Prophets Ministry Formation Practicum in Homiletics/Liturgies I Elective Elective |
| FALL Eucharist Sacrament of Reconciliation Ministry to Families Patristics Ministry Formation Elective |
SPRING Sexual and Medical Ethics Johannine Literature and Thought Sacrament of Holy Orders Ministry Formation Practicum in Homiletics/Liturgics II Elective |
Pastoral Formation
Serving the Lord by serving others, and learning how to more effectively be Christ for the world.Learn more
