The Josephinum seminary is a place of discernment where a man, guided and assisted by ordained priests, dedicates himself to prayer, self-reflection, and study with the goal of finding his vocation. To discover who he is in the Lord either as a priest or a faithful, holy lay man.
Each seminarian knows he was made by God and that he was made for something great. He has heard the quiet and persistent voice of God calling him to the seminary. This is his first discernment. The seminary is a place where that discernment continues as he seeks God’s will for his life, in an environment that will guide, support, challenge, and encourage.
Formation is a program of growth and preparation of the whole person. It has four distinct stages – Propaedeutic Stage, Discipleship Stage, Configuration to Christ Stage, and Vocational Synthesis.
The Stages of Formation
Every stage integrates four dimensions of formation: Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral.
The Horarium – or daily schedule – at the Josephinum is structured around prayer in the form of Morning Prayer, Mass, Holy Hour, Evening Prayer and Compline. Meals are taken in common; classes are held in the morning and afternoon; most seminarians have an apostolic assignment off campus to which they dedicate time each week appropriate to their stage of formation. Interspersed in daily life is time for recreation, study, spiritual direction, meetings with priest formators, private prayer, and relaxation.
A visit to a seminary campus is often instrumental in helping a man decide whether to enter seminary. We hold two annual Live-In weekend events for high school juniors, high school seniors and college students who want to know more about the Josephinum. Visits outside of these weekends are also welcomed.
Plan a Visit
Please contact us with any questions or to arrange a visit.