Vocational Synthesis Stage at NDS
“The vocational synthesis stage is a gradual realization of the cleric’s responsibility for the care of souls while he resides full-time in a pastoral setting, usually the parish. The goal of the vocational synthesis stage is to help the deacon make this essential transition before assuming the full responsibilities of priestly life and ministry in the context of his particular ecclesiastical entity.” (Program of Priestly Formation, Sixth Edition, 137)
Notre Dame Seminary is committed to supporting dioceses and religious communities in the transition of deacons into clerical life and ministry. To provide this support, NDS offers three key services: (1) Ongoing Support, (2) In-person Modules, and (3) the Canonical Retreat for Priestly Ordination. Below are descriptions of what each service entails.
Any transitional deacon, regardless of where he received seminary formation, is welcome to participate.
Registration Information
Dioceses are encouraged to participate in all services offered by NDS. The deadline to register is November 14, 2025.
Dioceses and Religious Communities will be billed in January once registration has been finalized.
Questions and Contact Information
For more information, contact Fr. Andrew Gutierrez, Coordinator of Vocational Synthesis, at agutierrez@nds.edu.
Formation Advising with Advisor from NDS Formation Team: Each transitional deacon is assigned a formation advisor from the NDS formation team and will participate in regulars advising sessions. Advisor will also meet with the Pastor- Formator during the semester to provide support and alignment. At the conclusion of the semester and in collaboration with Pastor-Formator’s own recommendation , the advisor provides the dioceses with a formal readiness assessment and recommendation for Presbyteral Ordination.
Topics for the monthly sessions will include:
- Rule of Life and maintaining of prayer life
- Time Management
- Stress Management
- Engaging solitude and appropriately handling loneliness
- Discerning appropriate boundaries in ministerial relationships
- Accountability for Personal Well-Being: Days-Off, Regular Spiritual Direction, Mental Health
February 23-27, 2026
"Developing as a Spiritual Father and Spiritual Leader in the Church"
This module is designed to support transitional deacons by first offering a day of prayer, fostering deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ after two months of full-time parish ministry.
Following this, transitional deacons will engage in two days of workshops facilitated by Paul George, founder of The Art of Living from Lafayette, LA. They will focused on understanding and refining his unique ministerial style and exploring its impact on his clerical life, as well as enhancing communication and collaboration with his pastor and parish staff. The workshop titles are the following:
- Pastoral Gifts and Frustrations: Self-Awareness for Ministry and Leadership
- Understanding Relationship Dynamics and Leadership: Conflict and Communication
- Self Gift without Burnout: Practical Tools for Organization, Scheduling, and Time Management
Deacons will arrive on Monday, February 23 by 5:45 pm for Vespers and Mass to follow.
The module will conclude with Mass at 9:00 am on Friday, February 27.
*Traveler’s Mass will be available Friday morning for those who may need to leave the seminary early.
Cost: $775 (all-inclusive, excluding transportation arrangements to and from NDS)
Desert Day
Tuesday, February 24
8:00 am – Lauds
8:15 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Conference
* Silence Begins
10:00 am – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
11:45 am – Mass
12:30 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Conference
5:45 pm – Vespers
* Silence Ends
6:00 pm – Dinner
6:45 pm – Evening Session with Fr. Rodrigue
Workshops
Wednesday, February 25
8:00 am – Lauds
8:15 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Workshop
11:45 am – Mass
12:30 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm– Workshop
4:30 pm –Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5:45 pm –Vespers
6:00 pm –Dinner
Workshops
Thursday, February 26
8:00 am – Lauds
8:15 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Workshop
11:45 am – Mass
12:30 pm – Lunch
*Afternoon Available for Personal Appointments with Formation Advisors or Spiritual Directors
4:30 pm – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5:45 pm – Vespers in Private
6:00 pm- Dinner
April 27 - May 1, 2026
"The Priest as Mediator and Preacher"
This module is designed to address the unique needs of each transitional deacon as he prepares for priestly ordination. Rooted in the identity of the priest as both mediator and pastor, the module provides each deacon the opportunity to select from a variety of sacramental practica to review, while also receiving personalized mentorship in areas of personal and ministerial life. Mentorship topics include conflict resolution, annulments, marriage preparation, homiletics, administrative organization, time management, health and wellness, and personal finances.
Each deacon receives an individualized schedule tailored to his chosen areas for sacramental practica and mentorship, with intentional time built in for prayerful reflection and fraternity.
Cost: $775 (all-inclusive, excluding transportation arrangements to and from NDS)
Arrival
Monday, April 27
4:00 pm – Introductions
4:30 pm – Vespers
5:00 pm – Closing Year Mass
6:00 pm – Closing Banquet
Practica & Mentorship Conferences
Tuesday, April 28 – Thursday, April 30
6:45 am – Lauds and Mass
7:45 am – Breakfast
8:30 am – Practica and Conferences Begin
12:30 pm – Lunch
4:30 pm – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5:45 pm – Vespers
6:00 pm – Dinner
6:45 pm – Evening Session: Fr. Gutierrez
*Evening Session only on Tuesday, April 28
Travel Day
Thursday, May 1
6:45 am – Lauds and Mass
7:15 am – Breakfast Available
May 1-7, 2026
The canonical retreat for Presbyteral Ordination will take place at the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau, LA and will be preached by Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC from May 1 – 7, 2026
Cost: $1,150 (all-inclusive, excluding transportation arrangements to and from Grand Coteau)