How does the seminary work?

Requirements to be a priest

To become a Catholic priest, a man must fulfill three basic requirements:

Have access to the university.
Complete two years of Philosophy.
Complete four years of Theology.

The daily life of a seminarian

In a word: intense, but also full of life.
The demands of the priesthood are great, which is why the formation is rigorous… but in the midst of study and prayer there is time to live together, laugh, and share as brothers.

In addition to master’s-level studies, seminarians:

Pray together at least twice a day.
Participate in daily Mass.
Meet with their spiritual director.
Carry out pastoral practices in local parishes.

And among all that, there are moments for sports, get-togethers, jokes in the dining hall, and long talks among friends that forge an authentic fraternity.
Because the seminary not only forms priests: it forms brothers who learn to live in community, with joy, and with Christ at the center.

The four pillars of priestly formation

Being a priest is not a job, but a new identity: to become an alter Christus, another Christ.
Therefore, the Church proposes a demanding formation in four fundamental areas:

Human formation: to cultivate a personality that is a bridge to Christ and that allows one to be an effective spokesperson of the Church.
Spiritual formation: to develop a deep and mature relationship with Christ through prayer and a virtuous life.
Intellectual formation: to know in depth the truths of the faith and acquire the skills to teach them to others.
Pastoral formation: to learn to be a true shepherd of souls, accompanying the faithful in their joys and sufferings.