LIFE OF A SEMINARIAN:
Pastoral Formation
PRACTICUM
The pastoral education arranges for the field placement of the seminarians and guides the seminarians in periodic reflection sessions, based on their experience in the field. In keeping with the Program of Priestly Formation for the United States, field work on the College and Pre-theological level is geared toward facilitating a man’s self-understanding rather than on the development of specific ministerial skills.
The placements are made in a variety of settings so that a College seminarian will have the opportunity to experience his reaction to serving in a variety of settings within the general framework of Christian service in his years at Holy Trinity. A variety of chosen practicum’s include: visiting a retirement facility, teaching RCIA or Religious Education classes, working with the Missionaries of Charity, and hospital visits. Each practicum allows the seminarian to experience the pastoral aspect of priestly life in real situations.
PEER FORMATION
A seminarian's peers are probably the most powerful tool of formation in a future priest's life. In this way, the peer influence can be guided in helpful directions as well as used to help develop a support system within a particular class. The group approach facilitates the faculty getting to know the seminarians in his own sphere of interactions within his peer group. This helps the faculty advisers to facilitate the growth process as a seminarian becomes increasingly aware of his own strengths and weaknesses.
A general pattern of intent is followed as a man continues through his time in formation at HTS as described below:
- Introduction to Seminary Life and Spirituality
- Liturgical Spirituality
- The Basic Teachings of the Church
- Faith Development
- Prayer and the Spiritual Tradition
- The Effective Pastoral Minister
FORMATION GROUPS
The integrated approach is most readily found in the formation groups that are facilitated jointly by staff members from both departments of the seminary's faculty. These formation groups are geared to the particular level at which a seminarian finds himself in his formation at Holy Trinity. The group dynamics work in such a way that there is a balance of teaching, discussion, reflection, and prayer within the designated meeting time.
