Human Formation
The Human Formation Program at Notre Dame Seminary is focused on providing seminarians with the necessary tools to be effective bridge-builders in their ministry. Human Formation is a foundational aspect of priestly preparation, emphasizing the development of personal and interpersonal qualities essential for effective ministry. According to the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), this dimension aims to cultivate “the human qualities that are the foundation for all other dimensions of formation.” It involves personal maturity, interpersonal skills, affective maturity necessary for celibacy, and relational qualities necessary for pastoral care.
Human Formation at Notre Dame Seminary:
Personal Maturity
At Notre Dame Seminary, we seek to facilitate the seminarian’s growth in personal maturity through:
– Individual formation advising
– Psychological counseling
– House jobs
– Class formation conferences
– And other means
These different programs and resources assist seminarians in achieving emotional and psychological maturity, as well as fostering self-awareness and resilience, which deepens as they progress through the subsequent stages of formation.
Interpersonal Skills
Development of healthy interpersonal skills is achieved at NDS through:
– Periodic seminary and class-level socials
– Intramural sports
– Peer-to-peer tutoring
– Diocesan nights
– Dinners and events with various outside groups
– And opportunities for regular socializing as a community living on the same corridor, as a class, and as a diocese
These opportunities for socializing provide the seminarian with the space to develop the tools to relate effectively with others, including peers, mentors, and the broader community.
Affective Maturity
Notre Dame Seminary seeks to help seminarians develop the affective maturity necessary for celibacy by:
– Formation conferences
– Individual formation advising
– In-house and Out-of-house Counseling
– Peer-to-peer discussions
– Joseph Groups
– Exercise regimens
– Diocesan Nights
These initiatives, among others, help imbue the seminarian with an integrated and healthy understanding and commitment to celibacy by promoting chastity and self-discipline.
Relational Qualities
The relational qualities necessary for pastoral care are nurtured at Notre Dame Seminary through:
– Pastoral Field Experiences and Evaluations
– Courses in Pastoral Counseling
– Individual formation advising
– Class Formation conferences
– Accompano Mission Trip
Equipping seminarians to provide compassionate and effective pastoral care within diverse cultural contexts is a key focus.