the Brook & Beyond
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The Pre-Theology Program provides college graduates newly-admitted to Saint Charles Seminary with adequate time to make a transition from secular to formational life, and to orient themselves to seminary living. The Program combines spiritual formation and intellectual formation with experiences in community living and apostolic service. As part of the College Division, the Pre-Theology Program assists seminarians in their vocational awareness and prepares them for entrance into the Theology Division. Its goal is to support each seminarian in his development as a Christian believer who is called to the priesthood.

The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Formation Program is intended to aid the seminarian as he integrates the development of the various aspects of his life as elaborated in Pope John Paul II’s exhortation, Pastores Dabo Vobis, viz., human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral. (cf. also PPF, 257).

To ensure the pre-theologian’s progress in the above areas, he meets regularly with his formation advisor. These meetings have the same format and purpose as those of the general program of the College Division and Theology Division. The seminarians attend weekly conferences given by members of the College Formation Committee. The subject matter, however, is oriented toward the specific goals of the Pre-Theology Program.

Although the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary program in all its levels concentrates on the development of a sense of fraternity and of an appreciation of the wholesome relationships that should be found among seminarians and priests, this facet of the program is particularly stressed in the Pre-Theology Program. It is hoped that, as they prepare to enter the Theology Division, seminarians realize the necessity of such relationships to one’s vocational discernment and one’s own psychological development.