Sound Formation for Diocesan Seminarians
Sacred Heart is a seminary that can meet students where they are, with focused attention to their formation.
Fast track for advanced seminarians: An individualized fast track program built around the four pillars of formation may be arranged for candidates who enter the seminary as permanent deacons or have previous seminary course work. In such cases, programs shorter than four years may be approved by the candidate’s bishop.
Dual degree track for gifted seminarians: Certain seminarians may benefit from additional intellectual challenges beyond the Master of Divinity Program. While Sacred Heart’s Master of Arts Program is primarily intended for lay students, a high-achieving seminarian may enter a dual Master of Divinity/Master of Arts Program.
Certificate Program: Under certain circumstances, a candidate’s sponsor may not want the seminarian to pursue an undergraduate degree. Sacred Heart accommodates such situations through its Certificate in Priestly Formation Program. This program includes the same components as the Master in Divinity Program, except that a bachelor’s degree is not required.
Pre-Theology: Many candidates who enter the seminary with a bachelor’s degree lack the necessary academic background in theology and philosophy to pursue graduate-level theology. For these men, Sacred Heart provides a Pre-Theology Introductory Studies Program in accord with the PPF.
Combined B.A./M.Div: Sacred Heart provides a combined B.A./M.Div. Program for those without a bachelor’s degree. It includes course work at nearby cardinal Stritch University, through a long-standing collaboration agreement. Thus, a man with no college experience can earn both degrees in six years.
Priestly formation at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology presents an ideal combination of strengths that uniquely position it to develop excellent priests for diocesan ministry.
The faculty is excellent. The coursework is challenging, but they get that there’s more to it. There’s a good balance with spiritual direction, pastoral formation with a lot of volunteer opportunities, and a strong family spirit among seminarians, faculty and staff.
—
Michael Leiker, Ed.D.
Seminarian for the
Diocese of Salina, KS
For students learning English en route to seminary studies, the SHSST ESL Bridge Program is designed to provide a smooth transition, while including full participation in the prayer life of the seminary.
Sacred Heart offers a program in Hispanic studies to prepare seminarians to meet the ministry needs of Hispanic Catholics in the United States. The program reaches across the pillars of spiritual, human, intellectual, and pastoral formation.
Options range from familiarization with Spanish language and Hispanic religious expressions to instilling Spanish language proficiency for ministry. Intensive summer language programs, either abroad or in a domestic immersion setting, are available.
Seminarians and others may join SHSST Scripture faculty on summer research excavations in Israel, participating directly in the illumination of new knowledge about the biblical times. The trip includes daily Mass and prayer, and includes visits to other key sites in the Holy Land, including Jerusalem.
Bishop Steven Biegler
of Cheyenne
Bishop Edward Braxton
of Belleville
Bishop William Callahan, OFM Conv.,
of La Crosse
Bishop Robert Coerver
of Lubbock
Archbishop Douglas Crosby
of Hamilton
The late Bishop Francis DiLorenzo
of Richmond
Archbishop Richard Gagnon
of Winnipeg
Bishop Robert Gruss
of Saginaw
Bishop Barry Knestout
of Richmond
Archbishop Jerome Listecki
of Milwaukee
Bishop Robert McClory
of Gary
Bishop Robert Morlino
of Madison
Bishop Thomas Paprocki
of Springfield in Illinois
Bishop James Powers
of Superior
Bishop Edward Rice
of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Bishop David Ricken
of Green Bay
Bishop Mark Seitz
of El Paso
Bishop Clarence Silva
of Honolulu
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.,
of Lexington
Bishop Gerald Vincke
of Salina
Bishop John Brungardt
of Dodge County
Bishop William Wack C.S.C.
of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Bishop Edward Weisenburger
of Tucson
Bishop Thomas Zinkula
of Davenport