Priestly Formation at Assumption Seminary

Stages of Formation at Assumption Seminary

Assumption Seminary is privileged to journey with our men through three stages of formation, as called for by the 6th Edition of the Program for Priestly Formation, whereby the seminarian is gradually formed into a shepherd who is called to offer his life as a gift in pastoral charity for the People of God. It is a gradual development in holiness whereby the seminarian becomes configured to Christ, Head and Shepherd, Servant, and Spouse (PPF,118).

PROPAEDEUTIC FORMATION

This stage provides the seminarian with the opportunity to lay a foundation for a new way of life by developing a life of prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation. (PPF,120).

DISCIPLESHIP FORMATION

The seminarian intensely discerns his vocation to the priesthood during the discipleship stage, and thus he can clearly articulate his call and his conviction to be a priest.

CONFIGURATION FORMATION

The configuration stage demands from the seminarian a great commitment, as it challenges him to acquire a proper priestly spirituality; this includes a greater awareness and personal assumption of priestly identity as he conforms himself to the sentiments and attitudes of the Son, understood as self-offering for the pastoral care of the sheep.

Human Formation

Biweekly individual formation advising meetings
Weekly formation conferences
Student Government leadership opportunities
Annual inter-seminary sports tournament
Annual intra-seminary sports tournament

Spiritual Formation

Daily Eucharist
Lectio divina
Annual silent retreat
Days of recollection
Evenings of recollection
Bimonthly spiritual direction
Weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Biweekly communal rosary
Sunday adoration/compline

Intellectual Formation

Collaboration with largest Catholic university in Texas
Degrees seminarians can earn:
- Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
- Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB)
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Theology
Collaboration with Catholic cultural and language school

Pastoral Formation

Diverse ministry placements
- Catholic schools
- Catholic Charities
- Ministry to migrants
- College campus ministry
Theological reflection
Cultural competency

Our Formation Approach

In each stage of formation, we strive to form our seminarians in the four key pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. These pillars are integrated and strengthened through a series of seven practical modules designed to prepare seminarians for the realities of diocesan ministry.

The holistic framework ensures that seminarians are formed not only in knowledge and spirituality, but also in pastoral sensitivity, cultural awareness, and practical leadership––fully equipped to serve the diverse needs of today’s Church.

SEVEN MODULES OF PRACTICA

Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood
Parish Life and the Role of the Pastor
Mental Health and Pastoral Care
Language (Spanish/English) Fluency
Cultural Competency
Rural Life Ministry
The Practice of Catholic Social Teaching

Want to learn more about our formation program? Contact us by clicking here.