Go to Part I “Spiritual formation is directed at nourishing and sustaining communion with God . . . This intimate relationship forms the heart of the seminarian in that sacrificial love that marks the beginning of pastoral charity.”[1. Na … [Read more...]
Vir Catholicus: Seminary Formation in Affective Maturity
June 23, 2023 by Deacon James Keating
The Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, written in 1992, was a major gift to priestly formation from Pope St. John Paul II. Most fundamentally, it was an encouragement to all involved in priestly formation to take seriously the human … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – June 2023
May 26, 2023 by Book Reviews
As a Priest Thinks, So He Is. Ed. by Beth Rath McGough and Patricia Pintado-Murphy. Reviewed by M. Ross Romero, S.J. (skip to review) Pray, Think, Act: Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers. By Augustine J. Wetta, O.S.B. Reviewed … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – March 2023
February 24, 2023 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
The Challenges of Priestly Formation Question: How can the challenges of priestly realities be controlled within formation? Answer: Over the years there have been numerous documents approved by the USCCB for priestly formation in the … [Read more...]
Hedging the Heart
Five Preconditions of an Authentic Human Formation
January 27, 2023 by Fr. John Nepil
Human formation — that pillar of seminary life often affirmed and rarely understood. Certainly, we believe it to be the basis of all priestly formation, and remain convinced by the words of St. John Paul II: “The priest should mold his huma … [Read more...]
Priestly Obedience in a Post-McCarrick Church, Part II
November 25, 2022 by Rev. Philip Smith
Go to Part I Now that we have traced the nature and the theological implications of obedience and ecclesial authority, let us now look at authority and obedience as complementary responsibilities. Church documents emphasize that … [Read more...]
Priestly Obedience in a Post-McCarrick Church, Part I
October 27, 2022 by Rev. Philip Smith
Introduction to Part I “I will do whatever my bishop asks me to do.” During my time in seminary, most seminarians did not anticipate huge struggles living the promise of obedience. Seasoned priests told us: “Everyone thinks celibacy is t … [Read more...]
In Memoriam: Fr. Fred Miller
October 27, 2022 by Rev. Brian X. Needles
Rev. Frederick L. Miller, a beloved priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on September 28, 2022. He was the Spiritual Director of St. Andrew’s Hall College Seminary and Adjunct Professor of Systematic T … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – August 2022
July 28, 2022 by Book Reviews
Configured to Christ: On Spiritual Direction and Clergy Formation. By Deacon James Keating. Reviewed by Rev. John P. Cush, STD. (skip to review) Married Priests in the Catholic Church. Ed. by Adam A.J. DeVille. Reviewed by John A. … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – July 2022
June 24, 2022 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Roots of the Apostles’ Creed Question: In the Apostles’ Creed we profess: “On the third day he rose again from the dead.” What does it mean to say “again” in this context? Answer: The Apostles’ Creed has a long and pious tradition behind … [Read more...]
The Wheat and the Tares
A Reflection upon Contemporary Priestly Formation
May 27, 2022 by Kevin Symonds
In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the tares (13:24–30). Some tares had been sown by an enemy and grew up alongside the wheat. The wise owner of the field instructed his servants to let both grow together until the harvest “ … [Read more...]
“Amoris Laetitia”: A Clarion Call for a Healthier Clergy
October 28, 2021 by Msgr. Frank Chiodo
One of the often missed points in Amoris Laetitia (chapter 6, §203) is the Holy Father’s reference to the importance of improving the psycho-affective development of future priests. I am convinced that this is long overdue. Having been a … [Read more...]
A “Modest Proposal” for a Pastoral Year Apostolate
April 9, 2021 by Fr. Peter Stravinskas
As the academic year winds down, administrators go into overdrive in planning for the next year, hence, the rationale for my present musings. Since it appears that most seminaries/dioceses are now moving (or have moved) to a mandatory … [Read more...]
Toward a Causal Account of Priestly Formation
A Reading of Pastores Dabo Vobis
January 28, 2021 by Matthew Walz
Pope St. John Paul II published Pastores dabo vobis on March 25, 1992, when the Church celebrates the Annunciation, the initial moment of the Incarnation. No doubt he chose this date deliberately — and fittingly so. For when a man enters s … [Read more...]
The Gift of the Mind: Scholars and Saints
December 11, 2020 by Fr. Peter Stravinskas
If one thing characterized priesthood fifty years ago (especially in Europe, even if less so here), it was the priest as a man of learning, that is, possessing a broad grasp of knowledge, a true Renaissance man — an in-depth knowledge of a f … [Read more...]
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