2010 Catalog cover - The Athenaeum Of Ohio

Purpose and Structure of
the Seminary Program
“Seminaries are to be a continuation in the Church
of the apostolic community gathered around Jesus.
This basic organizing principle means the seminary
is first and foremost a learning community of
disciples of Jesus....Finally, the seminary is a
worshipping and praying community that finds its
source and summit in the celebration of the
Eucharist” (PPF 290). To accomplish this purpose
there are four distinct but interrelated components of
Mount St. Mary’s program of priestly formation:
human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation.
Each of these “pillars” has its own specific goals.
Human Formation: “The basic principle of
human formation is to be found in Pastores dabo
vobis no. 43 [John Paul II]: the human personality
of the priest is to be a bridge and not an obstacle for
others in their meeting with Jesus Christ the
Redeemer of the human race. As the humanity of
the Word made flesh was the instrumentum salutis,
so the humanity of the priest is instrumental in
mediating the redemptive gifts of Christ to people
today....[H]uman formation is the ‘necessary
foundation’ of priestly formation” (PPF 75).
At Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, human formation is
central to the life of the student. Clear benchmarks
are articulated in this area so that the seminarians
and the faculty are aware of the expectations as a
student progresses in the program. Each
seminarian is assigned a formation director who
meets monthly with him. He also composes a set of
goals at the beginning of each academic year. In
the third quarter of each year, every student is
formally evaluated by faculty, peers and the
formation team.
Spiritual Formation: “The basic principle of
spiritual formation is…to live in intimate and
unceasing union with God the Father through his
Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. This is the
foundational call to discipleship and conversion of
heart. Those who aspire to be sent on mission, as
the apostles were, must first acquire the listening
and learning heart of disciples" (PPF 107).
“The spirituality cultivated in the seminary is
specifically priestly" (PPF 109). To achieve this,
Mount St. Mary’s works to foster a developing life of
prayer in the student and a deepening investment
in his spiritual life founded on the Eucharist, the
Liturgy of the Hours, private prayer and simplicity of
life. The liturgical life of the community is central to
this, and forms the rhythm of the daily and weekly
schedule of seminary life.
In conjunction with the central liturgical celebrations
of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, the
seminary also provides opportunities for devotional
prayer, including Eucharistic Adoration throughout
the year, as well as communal rosary and the
Stations of the Cross during specific seasons. An
outside confessor is present every week for the
benefit of the seminarians, and there is a day of
recollection at least once each quarter, as well as
an annual retreat for all students, including
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