What's a Seminary All About?

Reverend Jerry Vincke
Director of Seminarians

300 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48933

517-342-2507 (Office)
517-351-1543 (Home)
517-974-0521 (Cell)

E-mail: Reverend Jerry Vincke

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A Seminary is a faith (ecclesial) community in which men prepare to become priests by living the experience of the Twelve gathered with Jesus, listening to his Word, entering His Paschal Mystery (sacrifice), and awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit for mission. The Seminary forms men to be like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to serve the Church and the world as a priest. Seminarians learn how to respond to Jesus, "Do you love me?" with total self-giving. A College Seminary is for men who have earned a High School degree and will be or are currently in college. A Theological Seminary (Theologate) is for men who have earned an Undergraduate Degree. They will pursue two years of philosophical studies as well as a Masters of Divinity Degree at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan or if they have completed their philosophical studies and are asked by the Bishop at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. This is a four to six year process depending on an individual's background. The Diocese of Lansing has Formation Houses for men discerning a vocation to the priesthood on the campuses of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Here, men live with a priest who is a mentor and guide in the discernment process.

The Content of Formation: Intense formation in the seminary prepares a man to give himself freely and generously to the Lord and everyone as Jesus' priest. This formation, extending over a priest's lifetime, has four integral components:
1. Human - enables a man to be a bridge for others in meeting Jesus. Future priests learn to relate to others with affective maturity, to respect every person, to love truth, to be loyal, to have a sense of justice and be true to one's word, to be a man of integrity, balanced in judgement and behavior and to be sensitive and compassionate.
2. Spiritual - enables a seminarian to seek the Lord and live in union with Him by listening to the Word, in meditation, celebrating the mysteries of faith, especially the Eucharist and in the service of charity.
3. Intellectual - In the study of Philosophy and Theology, with a lively faith, a future priest studies the Word of God and Sacred Tradition and further prepares himself for his priestly ministry. Intellectual formation enables the seminarian to achieve a unified vision of the truths revealed in Christ and the Church's life of faith.
4. Pastoral - enables men to became true shepherds of souls by communion with the love of Jesus. A future priest is prepared for the ministry of the Word, the ministry of worship and sanctification and the ministry of the servant-shepherd.

WHAT IS FORMATION ABOUT? Formation describes the years spent in the Seminary because of the fact that the process is multifaceted. Formation encompasses all the major components in a person's life: spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and human. The years you will spend in the seminary are designed to:  enable you to minister to others with confidence
to help you come to Christ in a deeper way
instruct you on Church teaching, doctrine and theology
form your self-understanding
develop your appreciation for the gifts of others
prepare you to lead a community in prayer
enhance discipleship and much more.

If you think you are called to the challenge of this ministry and want a life of joy and amazement at the power of God in you and others, then this is for you. The Seminary is not for those who want to hide, run away or shrink from challenge. It is for those who embrace it.