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Purpose: This two-year program has as its purpose the preparation of candidates for entry into the ordination program.
Content and Goals of the Pre-Theology Curriculum: The spiritual and academic Formation Program during pre-theology aims at an adult level of affective maturity and interpersonal skills, a practical spiritual discipline, an exposure to apostolic life, and intellectual readiness for graduate theological studies. This takes place within the context of a strong community of faith and education comprised of the Benedictine community of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Saint Vincent Seminary, Saint Vincent Parish, and Saint Vincent College. This entire larger community seeks to support candidates in their vocational discernment. Pre-Theology students participate in all communal spiritual exercises of the seminary. These include daily celebration of the Eucharist, Morning and Evening Prayer, spiritual conferences, monthly days of recollection and an annual retreat. In addition each student chooses a spiritual director and meets with him regularly, focusing in these meetings on progress in prayer, spiritual reading and personal faith development. The primary intellectual focus of the pre-theology program is the study of philosophy which is balanced, comprehensive, integrated, and coherent (PPF 155). It has the following specific goals:
The second focus of the pre-theology program is to afford the student four courses designed to give them some of the essential and foundational “introductions” to faith, morality, spirituality, and Sacred Scripture as they prepare to begin their preparation for a life of ministry and service as priests. The entire ordination program will presume and build upon these introductions (The Basics of Catholic Faith and Culture, Introduction to Catholic Morality, Introduction to Spirituality, and Introduction to the Study of Sacred Scripture). The majority of the Philosophy courses in our program are taught by our excellent College Philosophy Department in consultation and cooperation with the Seminary. The remainder of the philosophy and theological courses are taken through the seminary itself. Pre-theology students reside in the seminary residences, pray with the seminarians, and take their meals in the seminary dining facilities. They also partake of the integrated formation program of the Seminary for both pre-theologians and theologians which is built around the Four-Pillars of the Program of Priestly Formation (5th edition – see the description and schedule of this Formation program on pages 3-13 of this Bulletin). |
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Cycle of Courses for |
Pre-Theology I: Fall
Total: 15 Spring
Total: 15 Pre-Theology II: Fall
Total: 15 Spring
Total: 15 *Since PL 204 and PL 206 will be offered in alternating years, seminarians will take whichever is being offered. Students who have transferred credits from another institution and need credits to fill out their schedules may enroll in up to 6 credits a semester from First Theology. Vocation Directors may request that their students take Spanish in place of Latin. |
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| Cycle of Courses for Theology |
First Theology: Fall
Total: 15 Spring
Total: 17/18 Second Theology Fall
Total: 16/17 Spring
Total: 17 Third Theology: Fall
Total: 17/18 Spring
Total: 16/17 Fourth Theology Fall
Total: 16 Spring
Total: 14
The Parish Practicum includes a two week intensive period in the parish assignment. Students are given work in their other courses to be completed as part of the experience in the parish. |
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