Experience a Life Changing Formation
Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology
 

Since 1861, forming priests for God's people has remained the consistent focus of Immaculate Conception Seminary, with its special emphasis on spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral development.

  • Human Formation
    Human Formation helps you to deepen your capacity for the celibate life and to develop your personality as a bridge for others in meeting Jesus Christ. Human formation is achieved two-fold, individually and communally. On the individual level, it is achieved through mentorship, conferences, lectures and workshops. On the communal level, it is attained by living and interacting in the Seminary community with peers, faculty, administrators and staff.
    The Goals of Human Formation
    1. Understand your gifts and talents
    2. Overcome personal obstacles that would keep others from Christ
    3. Grow in human maturity
    4. Build love and respect for other people

  • Spiritual Formation
    Spiritual Formation provides numerous vehicles for you to grow and develop in your relationship with our Lord. Through private and communal prayer and meditation (Liturgy of the Hours, daily reflection on scripture, daily participation in the Eucharist), spiritual direction, opportunities for retreat, serious commitment to a Christ-centered celibate life, frequent participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and instruction, you will truly develop Sacrament of Reconciliation “the habit of drawing close to Jesus as friends in every detail of your life.” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, #45)
    The Goals of Spiritual Formation
    1. Become not just a man who prays, but a man of prayer
    2. Deepen your relationship with Christ
    3. Grow in charity and self-giving
    4. Understand and live a life of obedience and constant conversion

  • Intellectual Formation
    Intellectual Formation aims at conversion of your mind and heart. To reach this goal, in conformity with the instructions of the Program of Priestly Formation, the academic program at Immaculate Conception Seminary provides you with a “thorough and comprehensive grounding in the Catholic faith” (#334) through academic coursework, seminars, pastoral field education, theological reflection and the study of a theological reflection second language. The education of a priest is paramount for priestly ministry. This aspect of formation will prepare you to be a faithful, loyal and authentic teacher of the Gospel.
    The Goals of Intellectual Formation
    1. Grow in knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith
    2. Hone the skills necessary to bring this knowledge and understanding to others
    3. Build and administer effective communication

  • Pastoral Formation
    Pastoral Formation integrates what you have learned in the classroom and other settings to develop the ministerial skills needed for priestly ministry. This occurs through field education, theological reflection, theological reflection groups, the Mentor Program, the Seminary Council, and regularly scheduled events and additional activities beyond the Seminary calendar. It is not enough that candidates for Holy Orders be humanly, spiritually and intellectually mature. These attributes have to be placed at the service of others.
    The Goals of Pastoral Formation
    1. Become a “living image of Christ”
    2. Live according to charity and self-giving


Let Us Assist You

If you are interested in or feel called to study the priesthood, Immaculate Conception Seminary offers a great way in which to do so.

“The seminary can be seen as a place and a period in life. But it is above all an educational community in progress: It is a community established by the bishop to offer to those called by the Lord to serve as apostles the possibility of reliving the experience of formation which Our Lord provided for the Twelve.” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, #60)

Since 1861, Immaculate Conception Seminary has offered men preparing for the priesthood the personal, academic, ministerial and spiritual formation essential for conversion to Jesus Christ and for their commitment to a life of service to the Church -- in an environment with all the theological and academic resources that a university has to offer. Broaden your horizons by studying alongside fellow seminarians and lay students from a variety of cultural backgrounds, with distinguished faculty who have performed God's work on a national and international level.

Formation concerns the continuing conversion of heart, mind and soul in a man that will enable him to carry on an effective ministry, in service of God and His people, in the ordained priesthood of Jesus Christ.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact theology@shu.edu or call 973-761-9575