The School of Theology is responsible
for the structure and overall supervision of the Pre-Theology
Program, and it administers the human, spiritual,
and pastoral components.
Human Formation
The human formation component of the Pre-Theology
Program assists seminarians with the transition from
secular to seminary life and fosters the seminarians’
growth toward a commitment to priestly life. The Pre-Theology
seminarian further develops the Christian virtues
he brought to the program: unselfish love, mature
obedience, celibate chastity, pastoral poverty, and
a commitment to social justice.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual formation in the Pre-Theology Program is
intended to help the seminarian grow in his spiritual
life, providing a solid foundation as he advances
toward priesthood and transitions from an undergraduate
school or life experience as a layman. Graduates of
the program will understand the Catholic spiritual
tradition, appropriate the Liturgy of the Hours as
the Church’s own prayer, and begin the practices
of a priestly spirituality.
Intellectual Formation
The Josephinum’s Pre-Theology Program is designed
to serve college graduates and second-career candidates
who need further academic preparation and formation
in order to undertake priestly studies in the School
of Theology. The program is normally two years long,
but there is flexibility depending on each seminarian’s
academic background and personal needs. Academic coursework
is managed by the faculty of the College of Liberal
Arts.
Degrees & Certificates
The Pre-Theology course program is centered primarily
on philosophy and theological study, with additional
required coursework in languages and other disciplines
helpful to the cultural formation of future priests.
A Certificate of Achievement in Philosophical and
Theological Studies is awarded to those students who
successfully complete at least one full year in the
Josephinum Pre-Theology Program and have earned the
undergraduate theology credits required by the Program
of Priestly Formation. Others may strive to earn a
Bachelor of Philosophy degree, which is awarded to
students who already possess a bachelor’s degree
or the equivalent and successfully complete the required
courses.
Pastoral Formation
Pastoral formation in Pre-Theology centers on placement
in a religious education setting during the second
year of study. Activities involve a variety of experiences
in diverse pastoral settings that develop:
• pastoral background for future study in the
theologate
• understanding of the Church’s pastoral
mission as it is practiced in a pastoral setting
• theological reflection skills, which mediate
the experiential base with the academic studies pertaining
to the Catholic practice of ministry
• discernment of the seminarian’s aptitude
for future ministry.
