There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served." — Cor 12:5

The role of the ministry of acolytes in the Church is sacred; at the same time, it helps to facilitate worship. Etymologically, the term "acolyte" originates from the Greek word akoluthos, meaning "server," "companion" or "follower." Acolytes assist the anyone is deacon or priest at the altar. Their ministry therefore anchors on service to the Church and the people of God.

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations." —Mt 28:19

The work of Michael Salemi our seminarian is commendable. His work was fruitful and the parishioners benefited immensely from the column he created on the bulletin, where he shared his profound experiences on the seminary formation. He addressed a spectrum of issues bordering on formation. Michael’s legacy of the past months needs to be sustained. I therefore wish to step in to continue with the weekly sharing. Henceforth, our sharing will cut across a variety of topics towards deepening the faith journey of our parishioners.

"I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently" (Jer 3:15)

Human formation lays the building's foundation, spiritual formation builds the walls, intellectual formation supports the building, and pastoral formation is the roof of the structure that brings everything together and completes this analogy. If seminaries only focused on intellectual formation, they would be only forming theologians. If the focus was only spiritual, they would be forming contemplative monks. If the focus was only human, they would be forming counselors. The first three pillars are focused interiorly on the individual growth of the seminarian. The pastoral pillar enters each of these and transforms them to no longer be focused interiorly but exteriorly toward others. Clerics have a three-fold office to fulfill for their people -to teach, to govern, and to sanctify - and these offices are the exterior forms of the intellectual, human, and spiritual pillars.

“I learned [Wisdom] without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth, for it is an unfailing treasure for men; those who get it obtain friendship with God, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.” —Wis 7:13-14

In keeping with the building analogy, intellectual formation acts as the structural support that connects the human foundation with the walls of the spiritual life. When the walls are built higher, the support needed to keep them from collapsing will increase. This is the role of intellectual formation in the seminary. The correct way to approach theological studies is with the mentality of faith seeking understanding. This is not learning for the sake of passing required classes or to become the know-it-all priest at the parish. These classes are to help deepen the seminarian’s spiritual life and to pass on these teachings to his future parishioners.

"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:1-2

After the foundation of humanity is laid, the walls of a spiritual life begin to be built. A proper understanding of self leads to a proper understanding of relation to Christ. Spiritual formation focuses on instilling the virtues of prayer and devotion needed for a thriving priesthood. The list of focus areas for a seminarian's spiritual life include: Eucharist, Confession, Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual direction, Scripture, retreats, meditation, reading the Church Fathers, personal devotions, asceticism, simplicity of life, solitude, obedience, celibacy, and other things. (PPF 229)

There are four pillars, or dimensions, of priestly formation: Human, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Pastoral. At each of the stages that we have covered, there are different benchmarks that need to be met before moving forward. The pillars act as cornerstones to the seminarian’s development so he can continue to progress and grow even after completing seminary. Similar to a college education, a seminary cannot teach everything, but can give the tools and foundations that will be used after graduation. The first and most foundational of these dimensions is Human Formation.

"The Glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." (Jn 17:22-23)

After three to five years of seminary formation, we now arrive at the final stage of seminary: Configuration. Unlike the previous two stages, there is no minimum or maximum number of years for this stage. A seminary's theology curriculum usually lasts four years, so most programs still try to help the men complete this stage in the same timeframe. Configuration is an intense period of formation. The previous stages were of intense discernment, but this is no longer needed because the seminarian has received candidacy and is considered finished with his priestly discernment.

How does a seminarian prepare for theology classes? He could begin right away, but there are many underlying principles that need to be understood before even delving into the supernatural aspects of Divine Revelation. The Jewish people received preparation from the Law and the Prophets. The Gentiles, especially those of Greek and Roman cultures, were instead prepared by philosophy. Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215 AD), in his book The Stromata, described philosophy as The Handmaid of Theology, and its role is investigation into truth and the nature of things...[T]he preparatory training for rest in Christ exercises the mind, rouses the intelligence, and begets an inquiring shrewdness.

Propaedeutic (proh-pe-doo-tik) is a term to describe preliminary instruction. The word comes from the Greek pro, meaning “before”, and paideuein, meaning “to teach”. This stage is an introduction to the seminary community, to the surrounding diocese, and to the formation process. The Program of Priestly Formation states that this stage should lay a foundation for a new way of life by developing a life of prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation and should last a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 3 years. This stage – in fact every stage – centers on intense vocational discernment being made within a community.

Every person is given a special mission by God when he is created. Sometimes, this mission is immediately recognized at some point during the person’s life, and other times it must be slowly discerned and understood over years of prayer. All seminarians, in discerning the call to the ministerial priesthood, must be prepared to accept this great task. This period of preparation in a seminary can take anywhere from 7 to 10 years and can be categorized into three specific stages: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, and Configuration. The overall goal of seminary formation is not only to prepare a man for priesthood, but to configure the man’s heart to the Sacred Heart of Christ, the true High Priest. The rector at my seminary summed up the stages well when he said, “In the propaedeutic stage, we form the man. In the discipleship stage, we form the Christian. In the configuration stage, we form the priest.”