be implemented as early as the 2023-24 school year .
The PPF defines four stages of priestly formation : Propaedeutic , Discipleship , Configuration and Vocational Synthesis . Benchmarks at each stage allow seminaries to consider the men ’ s formation as movements in stages versus in academic sequences such as pretheology and theology .
“ We ’ re moving away from a strict understanding of the seminarians ’ advancement as an academic succession to this idea of benchmarks ,” said Bishop Boyea . “ How do we help men meet certain standards as they are moving along in the process ? That will be a change of mindset for faculty and formators .”
Father Stephen Burr , Rector and President of Sacred Heart , is approaching the PPF in a prudential manner as modifications are discussed and eventually implemented .
“ This sixth edition of the PPF will ensure that we ’ re updated for the care of the seminarians and of their future ministry ,” Father Burr said . “ Ultimately , our goal here , and the goal of any seminary , is to form men into the heart of Jesus Christ so that the people of God are served and cared for . This PPF changes some of the language used and even the structure of seminary formation with that in mind .”
The beginning of formation for seminarians , the Propaedeutic Stage , and final phase of seminary , the Vocational Synthesis Stage , are the points at which the majority of the changes will occur .
“ Right now , we follow a formation process that mirrored the intellectual formation process , meaning college and graduate school . Now with this first phase , the Propaedeutic Stage is the entry point for a seminarian in which they wouldn ’ t yet enter rigorous intellectual study ,” said Father Burr . “ Instead , they ’ ll take an in-depth approach to their human and spiritual formation . This would be a time for the man to break away from the world , to understand himself as well as the culture and life of the Lord ’ s Church , and to bring himself in a relationship with Jesus that would be difficult to have with daily life in the working world or in college . We want them to understand who God is and how he has made them . To be able to pause and do this without the rigor of academic life will be a great gift .”
The Vocational Synthesis Stage will allow each seminarian to experience pastoral life for six months within his own diocese prior to being ordained . The change will be especially significant for seminarians who attend seminary outside their home dioceses , especially those far from Detroit . Sacred Heart serves seminarians from thirteen dioceses and three religious orders .
“ This stage is meant to synthesize your vocation — to integrate into the diocese with your bishop , your presbyterate and all the things associated with your diocese ,” said Bishop Boyea . “ It ’ s not meant to be an evaluative six months because you ’ re already evaluated when you become a deacon , but rather , to learn how to enter into that priestly life in one ’ s home diocese .”
Father Burr , in consultation with bishops , vocations directors and faculty , has formed committees to study the document in order to incorporate the PPF into the life of the seminary .
“ I think this updated PPF gives us an opportunity to discern how we interact with and form the seminarians on a daily basis ,” Father Burr said . “ How do we form a man so that his interior self and his exterior output of ministry are ready every day for the people of God for the rest of his life ? A document like this gives us a chance to regroup and refocus our efforts and to improve through the design in which the Holy Spirit is moving his Church .” shms . edu 19