In the area of intellectual formation, our seminarians seek to deepen their faith through study of the philosophy and theology so that they may authentically proclaim Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life to the faith communities they serve.

College
The College Division offers a four-year liberal arts program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in preparation for theological study. To achieve these goals, the curriculum:

• Provides an opportunity to gain insights appropriate to the initial stages of priestly formation
• Allows each seminarian to have the experience of integrating various methods of intellectual inquiry (while making a vocational commitment with discernment and reasonable certitude)
• Helps create an awareness of the contemporary world in which God’s saving presence is at work

Pre-Theology
The College Division offers a Pre-Theology Program for those seminarians who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited non-seminary college but who are not prepared in philosophy and other subjects to pursue graduate study in theology. This two-year program is also designed to enable seminarians to meet formational prerequisites for admission into the Theology Division.

Seminarians may also take elective courses to meet additional needs in philosophy and theology.

Theology

The Theology Division offers a four-year program to increase the seminarian’s own understanding of the faith and to provide him with the tools and skills necessary to elucidate the principles of the faith for the people he will serve in the ordained ministry. The various disciplines within theology are covered in the curriculum: Sacred Scripture, systematic theology, moral theology, pastoral theology, liturgy, canon law, church history and pastoral counseling. Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees are directed toward the attainment of:

• A vital integration of the seminarian’s theological knowledge with his life in Christ
• An awareness of the nature of the redemptive, sacramental Priesthood and a stronger conviction to share in its call
• A deepening of the seminarian’s personal Catholic experience and his preparation for lasting commitment to priestly life and ministry
• A vivid awareness of the contemporary world in which God’s saving presence is at work
• A growing understanding of the seminarian’s Catholic faith through critical and contemporary theological reflection