Priestly Formation

1. Fidelity to the Word of God and to the teaching of the Magisterium, combined with
   a deep love for the Church;

2. Commitment to a life of personal prayer and the ability to assist others in their spiritual growth;
   
   
3. Abiding love for the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance.
   
   
4. Acceptance of a lifelong commitment to chaste celibacy, obedience, and simplicity of life;
   
   
5. Sensitivity to the ecumenical dimension of the Church's mission;
   
   
6. An apostolic heart and zeal for service." (Program of Priestly Formation, #544)

Seminary formation has "as its object to make (seminarians) true shepherds of souls after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, teacher, priest, and shepherd." (Optatum Totius, #4)

A strong appreciation for the multi-faceted and challenging role of the diocesan priest lies at the root of the Formation Program at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Theologate. The Seminary's mission is to develop true pastors, mature and holy men, who live, work, and pray among the people in parish ministry.

This formation at Sacred Heart has several components. These different components form a whole which allows for the formation of future priests on all levels of development: Spiritual Formation, Personal Formation, Class Formation, Formational Seminars, Group Living Formation, Field Education, and Parish Internship. Each of these is treated separately and has a particular purpose and method. They must, however, along with the academic program, be viewed as parts of a comprehensive, interrelated whole.