Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 303

Intellectual Dimension

Intellectual formation will introduce the seminarians to priestly identity in order to aid in vocational discernment.

296

The material proper to the propaedeutic stage, as expressed above, should form the bulk of the intellectual formation of this stage.

297

Part-time general education college credits are permitted but never exceed nine credit hours each semester or its equivalent. 375

298

Classes proper to intellectual formation during the propaedeutic stage—such as courses on Scripture, catechesis, spirituality, and prayer—may be taken for credit in addition to the part-time general education credits. Courses that aid human formation, such as an introductory applied psychology course or a general physical well being course, may also be offered for credit.

299

The formal study of philosophy is not permitted during the propaedeutic stage.

300

Care must be taken that the academic work does not interfere with the overall tenor of the propaedeutic stage and its objectives.

301

Men entering the propaedeutic stage with a college degree may still need a more general liberal arts education and hence a longer propaedeutic stage, depending on their academic background. Discipleship Stage Seminarians should have or be earning a bachelor’s degree, preferably a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy, from an accredited institution. If such a degree is not available from their seminary, they may earn the degree at a college or university associated with the seminary.

302

303

375 The exception could be during the first two years of a three-year propaedeutic stage, where the third year would be free of academics.

151