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The Pastoral Formation is an integral part of the overall Theology Division Program. The fundamental purposes of the Pastoral Formation Program are to enable each seminarian to experience a supervised ministry setting and to evolve a habit of theological reflection on pastoral situations. Each seminarian is required to be involved in one of the approved placements and is encouraged to consult with the Director of Pastoral Formation concerning that placement.

The relationship of seminarian with supervisor is a professional one and is a vital force for learning and serving. Supervisory conferences are required for all pastoral placements to aid the seminarian in evaluating his own performance and reflecting upon his needs. Supervisory reports are directed to the appropriate formation advisor by the Director of Pastoral Formation to become part of the discussions between the formation advisor and his advisee.

Theological Reflection
Seminarians in First Theology are taught the process of theological reflection. Twice each semester in First, Second and Third Theology seminarians prepare a pastoral incident paper with the help of their supervisors. Guidelines for writing these papers are distributed by the Director of Pastoral Formation. The papers are reviewed by the seminarian's formation advisor and returned to him with comments, both written and oral. In the process of theological reflection there is a discovery of how learned theology becomes appropriated and utilized as a source for understanding in a given ministerial situation.

Pastoral Formation Placements
The Director of Pastoral Formation seeks a wide range of pastoral experiences to facilitate the fundamental purposes of pastoral education. Current placements include ministry in the following areas:

Internship Programs
Internship programs are full-time pastoral education placements, normally held in parish settings. The Summer internship is organized and conducted by the seminarian's sponsoring diocese. Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia participate in ten-week summer internships both in the Summer after Second Theology and in the Summer after Third Theology. If the seminarian is ordained a deacon at the end of Third Theology, then his Summer pastoral experience between Third and Fourth Theology is structured as a diaconate "practicum", allowing the deacon to function in the pastoral setting as an ordained minister with the specific responsibilities of that office, including preaching, baptizing and presiding at liturgy.

The essential components of this experience are a pastoral setting conducive to learning, supervision offered by an able priest-supervisor, and the opportunity for theological reflection. At the end of the Summer internship written evaluations are submitted to the Seminary by the seminarian and the supervisor. In the Fall and Spring semesters, Third Theology seminarians return to regular pastoral assignments made by the Director of Pastoral Formation. Deacons and other Fourth Theology seminarians continue to serve the parishes of their Summer internships on a part-time basis (Thursdays or Sundays).