Mission of Seminarian Formation Program

The mission of The Saint Paul Seminary is to prepare candidates for ordination to the ministerial priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church, which differs in essence from the priesthood of all of the baptized, yet is related and ordered to it.

By virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, these candidates are configured to Christ, the head and shepherd of the Church.  They will pastor communities of the faithful through Word and Sacrament, especially the Eucharist, which is the source and the summit of the Christian life.

Following the norms of the Decree of the Second Vatican Council on the Training of Priests, Optatam totius, the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis, and the Program of Priestly Formation of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Seminary provides an integrative program of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation to prepare candidates for servant leadership as ordained ministers.

The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity is committed to the highest standards of theological education and ministry formation in the Roman Catholic tradition. To this end, the School:

• supports the leadership development of both clergy and laity;
  
• prepares priests in the spirit of the renewal begun by the Second Vatican Council;
  
• seeks to form effective, dedicated, and faith-filled ministers for service in the Church;
  
• provides an environment conducive to learning and community;
  
• fosters participation in worship, fellowship, and volunteerism;
  
•  integrates theological study and ministerial practice;
  
• maintains a spirit of inclusiveness in all its activities;
  
• affirms each student's call to service and develops the unique gifts they offer; and
  
• reflects the needs of an evolving Church and world.