Priestly Formation

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NABRE)

Seminarians enter formation in the Propaedeutic Stage. This stage lays the foundation of the formational journey, emphasizing human and spiritual development. Men live in a community of discernment and accompaniment, apart from the seminary, for 12 months to two years. Adaptations for religious orders/novitiate programs, older seminarians, or permanent deacons discerning a priestly vocation, must be discussed in advance. 

Begins Fall 2023 at Sacred Heart

CLICK HERE to read the Propaedeutic Stage flyer (PDF)

Home for Propaedeutic Stage:

The Dehon House, located on the campus of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, is a beautifully renovated five-bedroom home that will be the communal living space for the Propaedeutic Stage. With two chapels, it provides an ideal space for discerners to grow in prayer, including, “scriptural meditation and the art of lectio divina” that are essential to this stage in formation (PPF 123). 

Contact us today! 

Deacon Steve Kramer, D.Min., Director of Recruiting: discerning@shsst.edu 

For more information from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, please read the following PPF6 bulletins: Propaedeutic-Stage.pdf and Propaedeutic-Benchmarks.pdf.

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NABRE)

Continuing to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, seminarians move into philosophical studies. Through prayer and human formation, seminarians grow in the Christian virtues. The main goal of the Discipleship Stage is “growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the life of meditation and contemplation, as well as the training of one’s character in Christian virtue” (PPF 132). This stage is to last at least two years, continuing the discernment process of seminarians. 

Please contact us for a conversation:

Deacon Steve Kramer, D.Min., Director of Recruiting: discerning@shsst.edu or 414-858-4767

For more information from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, please read the following PPF6 bulletins: Discipleship-Stage.pdf and Discipleship-Philosophy.pdf. 

Meet our seminarians in Discipleship:

“… yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NABRE)

The Configuration Stage prepares men for Holy Orders, guiding seminarians in the sacrifice of self to be God’s shepherds. During the Configuration stage, seminarians are to be instituted to the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte, preparing more diligently for Holy Orders. They are to “enter profoundly into the contemplation of the person of Jesus Christ” (PPF 135) and integrate “the sentiments and attitudes of the Son, understood as self-offering for the pastoral care of the sheep” (PPF 136). There is also a focus on graduate level theology concentrating on the knowledge of scripture, the divine mysteries, rooted in the Magisterium, ecumenical practices, and priestly ministry (PPF 291).

Please contact us for a conversation:

Deacon Steve Kramer, D.Min., Director of Recruiting: discerning@shsst.edu or 414-858-4767

For more information from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, please read the following PPF6 bulletins: Configuration-Benchmarks.pdf, and Configuration-Theology.pdf.

Meet our seminarians in Configuration 4:

Meet our seminarians in Configuration 3:

Meet our seminarians in Configuration 2:

Meet our seminarians in Configuration 1:

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21 NABRE)

Upon completion of the Configuration Stage, seminarians enter in to the Vocational Synthesis stage. This stage “is a gradual realization of the cleric’s responsibility for the care of the souls while he resides full-time in a pastoral setting, usually a parish” (PPF 137). The goal of this stage is to gradually introduce seminarians (some as newly ordained deacons) to the daily experiences of priestly life and pastoral service. Ministering in their diocese or ecclesial entity, they apply the knowledge, skills, and spiritual development gained in seminary to ministry in God’s world. SHSST can work with sponsors on placements, benchmarks, rubrics, and training for supervising priests.

Please contact us for a conversation:

Deacon Steve Kramer, D.Min., Director of Recruiting: discerning@shsst.edu or 414-858-4767

For more information from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, please read the following PPF6 bulletins: VocationalSynthesis-Stage.pdf and VocationalSynthesis-Benchmarks.pdf.