Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Intellectual Dimension

reality of the Catholic Church in the United States of the twenty first century, the seminarian also should possess an adequate knowledge of languages necessary for ministry; the possession of this knowledge, which was introduced in the propaedeutic stage, deepens in this and subsequent stages. By the completion of the discipleship stage, the seminarian demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly in both the written and spoken word. He is also able to analyze modern and postmodern philosophy relative to basic Church teaching and the perennially valid philosophical heritage that is in harmony with it. Ultimately, intellectual formation in the seminary program centers on theology as a search for “an ever deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.” 361 This kind of theological study, which far exceeds a purely technical approach to “religious phenomena,” unfolds in the following ways: a. Theology in seminary intellectual formation is truly to be fides quaerens intellectum , faith seeking understanding. 362 This direction is not the same as the approach of religious studies or the history of religions. The seminary study of theology begins in faith and ends in faith, as should all true theological inquiry and study. b. In a seminary or priestly formation context, the study of theology is oriented to one’s own faith and also to the faith of others. In other words, the study of theology is apostolically motivated. “For the salvation of their brothers and sisters they should seek an ever deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.” 363 THE CONFIGURATION STAGE Graduate Theology

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361 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 51. 362 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 53. 363 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 51.

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