{"id":2659,"date":"2015-09-14T15:43:24","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T05:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.sgs.org.au\/?page_id=2659"},"modified":"2023-09-22T13:43:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T03:43:01","slug":"formation-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/formation-program\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become a Priest"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row rt_row_background_width=&#8221;default&#8221; rt_row_style=&#8221;default-style&#8221; rt_row_borders=&#8221;&#8221; rt_row_paddings=&#8221;true&#8221; rt_bg_effect=&#8221;classic&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;cover&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221; rt_bg_video_format=&#8221;self-hosted&#8221; rt_padding_top=&#8221;0&#8243; rt_padding_left=&#8221;0&#8243; rt_padding_right=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column rt_wrp_col_paddings=&#8221;false&#8221; rt_border_top=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_top_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;auto auto&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221; rt_padding_top=&#8221;0&#8243; rt_padding_bottom=&#8221;0&#8243; rt_padding_left=&#8221;0&#8243; rt_padding_right=&#8221;0&#8243;]\r\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"slider-image-carousel-989600\" class=\"rt-carousel rt-image-carousel carousel-holder clearfix rt-image-carousel \" data-item-width=\"1\" data-nav=\"true\" data-dots=\"false\" data-margin=\"\" data-autoplay=\"true\" data-timeout=\"5000\" data-loop=\"false\" data-tablet-item-width=\"1\" data-mobile-item-width=\"1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"owl-carousel\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/02-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/01-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/05-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/04-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/06-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/07-Sliders-980x441.jpg\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row rt_row_background_width=&#8221;default&#8221; rt_row_style=&#8221;default-style&#8221; rt_row_borders=&#8221;&#8221; rt_row_paddings=&#8221;true&#8221; rt_bg_effect=&#8221;classic&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;cover&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221; rt_bg_video_format=&#8221;self-hosted&#8221;][vc_column rt_wrp_col_paddings=&#8221;false&#8221; rt_border_top=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_top_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;auto auto&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cTo make good priests is the greatest<br \/>\nachievement in the world. It is impossible to<br \/>\nconceive of anything greater.\u201d<\/h4>\n<div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"rt_heading  style-4\" >St Vincent de Paul<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>A priest is someone called by Christ and sent out into the world to be a shepherd after His own Heart. But how do we at the seminary even begin to form another human being for such an extraordinary life?<\/p>\n<p>We of course closely follow the teachings and instructions of the Church. But the first and fundamental truth is that God is at work in the Seminary. Our primary goal is to facilitate and encourage seminarians to be open to God so that His Spirit may heal, illumine and sanctify their hearts. We trust God to be the primary agent in formation.<\/p>\n<p>The more a young man can be filled with the love of God, the more ardently will he love his people and the more fruitful his ministry will be.<\/p>\n<div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"rt_heading  style-1\" >Spiritual Year<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>So we begin the formation process with the spiritual year, the foundation for all the formation work done in the Seminary.<\/p>\n<p>Seminarians are introduced to the basics of our Christian heritage. They are introduced to the Catechism, the foundations of Christian spirituality such as the practice of Lectio Divina and other forms of prayer, and they are introduced to the unique aspects of the life of a priest. They are instructed how to recognise the presence of Christ in their lives and to grow in self-knowledge and self-acceptance.<\/p>\n<p>The spiritual year begins with a three-day retreat. Then, at Easter, the first years do an eight-day retreat and the spiritual year concludes with the thirty-day retreat following the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius Loyola.<\/p>\n<p>With such a foundation, the seminarians and staff then seek to discern God\u2019s will and, if it is discerned that a man does indeed possess signs of a vocation to the priesthood, he continues with the formation program. According to the teachings of St John Paul II in <em>Pastores Dabo Vobis,<\/em> there are four key areas to be covered in the formation of a priest:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Human Formation<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual Formation<\/li>\n<li>Academic Formation<\/li>\n<li>Pastoral Formation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row rt_row_background_width=&#8221;default&#8221; rt_row_style=&#8221;default-style&#8221; rt_row_borders=&#8221;&#8221; rt_row_paddings=&#8221;false&#8221; rt_bg_effect=&#8221;classic&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;cover&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221; rt_bg_video_format=&#8221;self-hosted&#8221;][vc_column rt_wrp_col_paddings=&#8221;false&#8221; rt_border_top=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_top_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_left_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_right_mobile=&#8221;&#8221; rt_bg_image_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; rt_bg_size=&#8221;auto auto&#8221; rt_bg_position=&#8221;right top&#8221; rt_bg_attachment=&#8221;scroll&#8221;][vc_tta_tabs shape=&#8221;square&#8221; color=&#8221;white&#8221; active_section=&#8221;1&#8243; no_fill_content_area=&#8221;true&#8221;][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-male&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;HUMAN FORMATION&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1446010443379-91f7502f-765a&#8221; el_class=&#8221;tab_title&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"rt_heading  style-4\" >Human Formation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t1.0-9\/54730114_2063422253695226_604811341798047744_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&amp;_nc_oc=AQnuvPw11N1OFdvjTaEJ8r1wc5ZLkPwMInS7Qt9g9zIoIRDKCZ_REg2i4ceaxfDMO6E&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&amp;oh=9e183062c684ba774ff8c3423b49d7fb&amp;oe=5E394549\" alt=\"Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people standing, beard and outdoor\" width=\"479\" height=\"320\">A priest needs the human qualities to attract and lead people to the Kingdom of God. At the Seminary we pay considerable attention to the human virtues necessary for maturity, particularly the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice. Formal input is offered regarding these virtues and seminary staff offer constant feedback to seminarians as to their growth in these virtues.<\/p>\n<p>Priests are committed to lives of celibacy, obedience and simplicity. Following such a life is a long-tested path to holiness, but it does need considerable preparation.&nbsp; Accordingly, much input is offered to assist men to understand the unique charism of priestly life and how to live these promises in a positive and life-giving way. In regard to the promise of celibacy, there is particular attention given to psychosexual development and the patterns of life necessary to support a healthy and loving commitment to celibacy.<\/p>\n<p>In the senior years, seminarians are prepared for their role as pastors in parishes and as celebrants of the sacraments. Particular attention is given to developing their leadership and evangelical skills and we seek to implant within them the desire to be continually integrating all aspects of their human, pastoral and spiritual development.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-plus&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;SPIRITUAL FORMATION&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1446010443558-f8510a95-8e57&#8243; el_class=&#8221;tab_title&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"rt_heading  style-4\" >Spiritual Formation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t1.0-9\/68474230_2295282263842556_4104960021589131264_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&amp;_nc_oc=AQkH70f7tLYOpqrRBGQHW6qlcEXFRc69Wq2Bxu38hDOjISADeoQS_3IwHW3JwczxQGI&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&amp;oh=5aca8998bd45102863d398d397bf99f8&amp;oe=5DEF7ABB\" alt=\"Image may contain: 5 people, people standing, wedding and indoor\" width=\"399\" height=\"266\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If priests are to be resilient, truly evangelical and hopeful, they must be in close relationship with God. So prayer must become deep and habitual. Mass is celebrated daily at the seminary as are the Offices of morning, evening and night prayer. There is a daily holy hour and prayer of the rosary is encouraged. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered daily. Annually, there is an eight-day retreat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Spiritual Director of the Seminary offers regular input and monthly reflection days and seminarians receive spiritual direction twice a month in the spiritual year and monthly thereafter. Attention is particularly given to growth in the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. In summary, seminarians are encouraged and assisted to grow in their prayer lives, in holiness and in union with God.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-book&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;ACADEMIC FORMATION&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1446010742554-9869610e-b1f2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"rt_heading  style-4\" >Academic Formation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3043\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Academic-Formation-233x300.jpg\" alt=\"Academic-Formation\" width=\"233\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Academic-Formation-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Academic-Formation.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/>The seminary values its shared history with the Catholic Institute of Sydney (CIS) and CIS remains the principal provider of theological formation for seminarians. So the staff of CIS play an important role in the formation of seminarians. We aim to ensure that seminarians will be able to make connections between the academic work they do at CIS and their human, pastoral and spiritual formation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the spiritual year, seminarians do one subject in each of the two semesters, each of which focuses on spirituality. In the remaining years, seminarians study in the following general areas:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Philosophy, Biblical languages, Church History, Biblical Studies, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Pastoral Studies and Mission, Spirituality, Liturgy and Canon Law.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since CIS is accredited to award pontifical degrees, many seminarians obtain the STB which then allows them to undertake further studies at Pontifical Universities. As a member of the Sydney College of Divinity, CIS also is accredited to award civilly recognized degrees such as the Bachelor of Theology.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-user&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;PASTORAL FORMATION&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1446010798817-2953b0da-a50a&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><div class=\"rt_heading_wrapper style-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"rt_heading  style-4\" >Pastoral Formation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3045\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Pastoral-Formation-233x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pastoral-Formation\" width=\"233\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Pastoral-Formation-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/sgs.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Pastoral-Formation.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/>Seminarians are offered various kinds of pastoral work to prepare them for their lives as priests. Not only is the experience important, but seminarians are taught to reflect critically upon their experience so as to be constantly learning how to be more truly shepherds after the heart of Christ. A thorough grounding in professional standards is also offered as seminarians begin each new pastoral work. Further, seminarians attend annual workshops on safeguarding matters given by the Archdiocese of Sydney.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the spiritual year, exposure is offered to the various works of mercy of the Church. Thereafter, the following general pattern is adopted:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Year 2<\/strong>: Teaching and exposure to the ministry of Catholic Primary schools;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Year 3<\/strong>: Introduction to the work of catechists in State schools and teaching in State secondary schools;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Year 4<\/strong>: Teaching and exposure to the ministry of Catholic Secondary schools and promoting vocations;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Year 5<\/strong>: supervised parish placement for 6 or 12 months and a supervised placement in a large hospital;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Senior Years<\/strong>: placements in Church ministries which assist those who are marginalized from normal daily life.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column rt_wrp_col_paddings=&#8221;false&#8221; rt_border_top=&#8221;&#8221; rt_border_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; 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