The United States seminaries are embarking on a new initiative aimed at providing first-year seminarians with an increased focus on prayer and a decreased reliance on screens. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Program of Priestly Formation, now in its sixth edition, is introducing the new propaedeutic year in seminaries across the country. This initiative mandates a year of preparation for men entering seminary for the first time.
One of the institutions taking steps to implement the propaedeutic year is the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. During this period, aspiring priests will prioritize personal and spiritual growth, with a reduced emphasis on academic work.
The central feature of the propaedeutic year will be a reduction in screen and device time, focusing on the development of a sense of community among the seminarians and aiding them in establishing a spiritual foundation rooted in prayer as they contemplate their calling. According to Fr. Stephen Pullis, the director of graduate pastoral formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the propaedeutic year will involve fewer classes and a modified daily routine to support their human and spiritual development.
This alteration in the seminarian schedule aligns with recommendations from the Holy See on the fundamental elements of priestly formation, particularly the significance of nurturing a prayerful disposition. Fr. Pullis observed that many men entering the seminary are accustomed to leading busy lives heavily reliant on technology and constant noise, which makes it challenging for them to attune themselves to God’s voice.
Fr. Pullis emphasized that the purpose of the propaedeutic year is not to completely reject technology, but rather to place it in its proper context alongside other worldly distractions. The introduction of the propaedeutic year in other seminaries has reportedly been well-received, with seminarians valuing the opportunity to disconnect from the digital realm and re-engage with the people and community around them.
The adjustment in the seminarian formation program aims to instil a greater appreciation for prayer and community among the seminarians, ultimately contributing to the cultivation of priests deeply rooted in spirituality and service.
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– Daniel Meloy, CNA