Priestly Formation
Priestly formation begins at home with parents as the first catechists/teachers of the faith to their
children at an early age. The late Pope John Paul II referred to a Christian home as the "Domestic Church"
where husband, wife and children grow in knowledge and wisdom of God: to know, to love and serve God in all
things. It is in a Christian home where a strong foundation of faith is laid and faith is passed on in the
daily experience: e.g. going to church services with the child, teaching the child to make the sign of the
cross before eating, introducing the child to the Bible as the word of God, talking to the child about God
as creator and savior, etc. This spiritual encounter is so important and serves as the rite of initiation
of children into Catholic faith and practice. This shows the important roles played by the parents in the
life of the church. It is parents who supply the seminaries with vocations to various ministries in the
church. Thanks to the generosity of the parents in offering their children for service to humanity through
the ministry of the church.
The second level of priestly formation is at the seminary. The word seminary comes from a Latin word
"semen/semis", meaning "SEED". It is the seed of vocation to church's ministry and refers to the young men
who feel called by God to dedicate their lives in the service of humanity. Once a young man feels that he
has a vocation to priesthood, he makes it known to his parents, the pastor and the Christian community from
whom he expects recommendation and support. He then makes application to join a Minor Seminary such as Sacred
Heart Seminary, which is a secondary school where seminarians spend six years learning basic skills with emphasis
on religious education to prepare them for ministry. The boys are here from the age 14 to 19 years old. Sacred
Heart Seminary has 148 seminarians studying for the priesthood. After completing six years of education at the
Minor Seminary, the young men, upon the recommendation of the Rector and staff of the Minor Seminary can choose
to go to the Major Seminary for three years of philosophy. After three years of philosophy, the young men will
spend a year of pastoral work in a parish before going on for another four years of theology before being
ordained a priest.
The long years they spend in the seminary are meant to prepare them to be mature pastors, dedicated,
responsible, prayerful, holy and orally oriented. Please remember our seminarians and priests in your daily
prayers.