Formation of seminarians: what do they study?

The formation of seminarians is an essential issue! While the universities open their doors, the seminarians also begin a new year of formation, a process that involves not only academic studies, but also a profound integral preparation that forges the future priest.

What does a seminarian study?

With the beginning of the new school and university year, students return to the classroom full of expectations and challenges. For seminarians, this moment not only marks the beginning of a new academic year, but also a crucial stage in their preparation to become priests.

The vocation of the priest is a gift and a gratuitous call to serve God and the Church, a life commitment that requires a rigorous and very broad formation. But how is the formation of seminarians and what does a seminarian actually study during his preparation? How are future diocesan priests, and many religious men and women, formed to face the challenges of today's society and to guide the faithful in their spiritual journey?

The formation of seminarians or of a priest has a high cost for the diocese, which makes support for the formation of seminarians a strategic mission in the Church. Thanks to its benefactors, the CARF Foundation makes it possible for many of them to have access to an integral education that not only encompasses theological and philosophical knowledge, but also their human, spiritual and personal development.

The vocational journey and the formation of seminarians

Before we go into the specific studies that a seminarian undertakes, it is essential to understand that the priestly vocation is a call that many young people feel in their hearts: it is an invitation to dedicate their lives to the service of God and others, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Saint John Paul II, a fervent defender of priestly vocations, said that the vocation to the priesthood is a special grace that God grants to some, calling them to be his ministers and witnesses in the world. This call is answered with a generous yes, which marks the beginning of a long journey of formation and discernment.

juan pablo II formación de seminaristas qué estudia un seminarista
St. John Paul II was concerned with the formation of seminarians and what they study.

What is the academic path of a seminarian?

Philosophical education: the basis for critical thinking

The road to the priesthood begins with philosophical formation, which usually lasts about three years. During this time, seminarians study disciplines that enable them to develop critical thinking and a deep understanding of reality. Some of the subjects addressed include:

St. John Paul II explained that philosophy is one of the keys to understanding the human vocation and the mission of the Church. It is not only an intellectual preparation, but also lays the foundation for a profound reflection on the meaning of life and the vocation to the priesthood.

Theological formation: deep knowledge of the faith

After completing his philosophical studies, the seminarian enters the stage of theological formation, which generally lasts another two or three years. This is where he deepens his knowledge of the Christian faith and Catholic doctrine. The main areas of study include:

Theology is the heart of priestly formation. It is here that seminarians learn to communicate the faith and respond to the challenges of modernity.

formación de seminaristas qué estudia un seminarista

Spiritual formation: the cultivation of the interior life

In addition to the academic formation of seminarians, the spiritual life is a fundamental pillar of their preparation. Spiritual formation is aimed at cultivating an intimate relationship with God. To this end, seminarians must delve into a deep life of prayer and communion with God. This emphasis on prayer and spiritual life is what distinguishes the priesthood from other professions.

Human formation: preparation for ministry

Human formation helps them to develop their pastoral ministry, which is the practical component that allows seminarians to apply what they have learned in a real context. Throughout their formation, they participate in a multitude of pastoral activities. St. John Paul II expressed this idea by explaining that the priest is a man of charity and his ministry must be marked by compassion and closeness to the sufferings of others.

How is this mission of seminarian formation financed?

The formation of seminarians is a strategic and significant investment for the future of the Church. The costs of education, housing, food and materials are high. This is where the CARF Foundationwhich is dedicated to ensuring that no seminarian with a vocation is left without the possibility of formation due to economic reasons.

The complete formation of a seminarian or diocesan priest costs 18,000 euros a year in the University of Navarra and in the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. This amount includes not only the direct costs of education, but also other associated expenses such as room and board.

The donations to the CARF Foundation not only help cover these costs, but also ensure that seminarians receive the highest quality training (Bologna degrees), so that they can effectively serve the Church and society.

Supporting the formation of seminarians is not only a work of charity, but an investment in the future of the Church. With your donation, you improve the lives of these young men, and their 131 countries, who have decided to respond to God's call.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

To love: to be good Christian

It does not imply being a person obsessed with many commandments to be fulfilled, before which one can feel overwhelmed, but being a person in love who does everything with the joy of love.

Each of us knows well what it means to love ourselves and what we would like others to do for us. By adding these words, "as yourself," Jesus has placed before us a mirror before which we cannot lie; he has given us an infallible measure to discover whether or not we love our neighbor.

How to love your neighbor

Therefore, whatever you would have men do to you, do also to them (Mt 7:12). It does not say, if you please: What the other does to you, do also to him. This would still be the law of retaliation: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Dt 19:21). It says, rather: what you would like the other person to do to you, do to him/her.and that is quite different.

How many things would change in society if we would put into practice these words of Jesus! It is not so difficult to do so. It is enough to ask ourselves in every situation: if I were in his place and he were in mine, how would I want him to behave towards me?

The words and, above all, the example of Jesus in the Gospel invite us to think, to talk with him in our prayer and to draw consequences. Perhaps when we think of love of neighbor, the first thing we think of is to dedicate some of our spare time to an action of solidarity: accompanying an elderly person for a walk, comforting a sick personGiving alms, distributing food to those who have none, participating in a solidarity party... All this is good, but it is only a small beginning. It can even be an excuse to feel good with a good conscience.

The words of Jesus do not speak of external works of charity but of interior dispositions, essential in our relationships with others. To love, the first thing is to truly love people, to be interested in them, to build bridges of friendship, to share the best we have to offer: our joyful and operative faith, which manifests itself in deeds.

In short, do everything out of love: if you keep silent, keep silent out of love; if you speak, speak out of love; if you correct, correct out of love. Think first of others with true love and then concretize those good feelings in the way that can be most useful to each person.

God's glance

It is about looking differently at the situations and people we encounter in order to live. How? With the gaze with which we would like God to look at usof excuse, of benevolence, of understanding, of forgiveness...!

Christians who in loving give off "the good odor of Christ".

Mr. Francisco Varo PinedaDirector of Research at the University of Navarra.
Faculty of Theology, professor of Sacred Scripture.

What is celebrated today, the 15th day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary?

Assumption Day: "The stupendous reality of Mary's Assumption manifests and confirms the unity of the human person and reminds us that we are called to serve and glorify God with our whole being, soul and body," Pope Francis.

Importance of the Mystery of the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary is full of grace. The intensity and nature of her graces are different throughout her life; one is the grace at her Conception, another at the Encarnacionanother in the Assumption of Mary into heaven. In the latter, the Virgin Mary receives the fullness of holiness.

día de la asunción de la virgen maría
Assumption of the Virgin Jacopo Negretti.

History of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary

The celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary is an ancient feast celebrated in Jerusalem since the 6th century in honor of the Mother of God, probably recalling the consecration of a church in her honor.

This feast, a century later, spread throughout the East under the name of the Dormition of St. Mary and celebrates her passing from this world and Mary's assumption into heaven.

The dogma of the Assumption 

Pope Pius XII, in 1950, declared the Assumption of Mary a dogma of faith. The Virgin Mary, by a special privilege of Almighty God, did not experience corruption: her body, glorified by the Holy Trinity, was united to the soul, and Mary was assumed into heaven, where she reigns alive and glorious, together with Jesus, to glorify God and intercede for us.

In the Apocalypse we can read the passages that relate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven: "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1).

And we, prompted by the liturgy at the vigil Mass of this feast, acclaim Our Lady with these words: Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, Maria, quæ hodie exaltata es super choros angelorum.Blessed are you, Mary, for today you have been raised above the choirs of angels and, together with Christ, you have attained eternal triumph.

The day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Christian life

The Church looks to Mary to contemplate in her what the Church is in her mystery, in her "pilgrimage of faith," and what she will be at the end of her journey, where she awaits, "for the glory of the Most Holy and indivisible Trinity," "in communion with all the saints" she whom she venerates as the Mother of her Lord and as her own Mother.

The Assumption of Mary, Our Lady proposes to us the reality of this joyful hope. We are still pilgrims, but Our Mother has preceded us and is already pointing out to us the end of the path: she repeats to us that it is possible to arrive and that, if we are faithful, we will arrive. Because the Blessed Virgin is not only our example: she is the help of Christians. And at our request -Monstra te esse Matrem-She does not know how, nor does she want to refuse to care for her children with maternal solicitude. It is Christ who passes, 177.

Mary fulfilled in an exemplary way the will of God in her life and that is what led her to reach the glory of God. The Assumption of the Virgin is an example for all Christians.

On Earth we all want to reach God. This is our hope. The Virgin Mary has already achieved this. What she has achieved encourages us. Mary had enormous trust in God and her heart was full of God.

With the collaboration of:

Opusdei.org

Prayer for priestly and religious vocations

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. The Gospel presents Jesus Christ as the shepherd who calls and gathers his sheep, knows them by name, cares for them, guides and leads them to fresh pastures, searches for the lost sheep and, in his Paschal immolation, gives his life for his sheep.

Pope Francis' message for the 57th world day of prayer for vocations

On March 3, we also celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Religious Vocations. In it, Pope Francis reminds us that, in the saving task born of the paschal mystery, the Good Shepherd needs collaborators.

In his universal prayer intention, the Pope Francis asks to pray for priests "that with the sobriety and humility of their lives, they may engage in active solidarity, especially towards the poorest".

Through humble human instruments, the Lord must continue preaching, sanctifying, forgiving sins, healing physical and moral wounds, comforting the sad, teaching the ignorant and accompanying those who feel alone and abandoned.

They are the different vocations that the Spirit raises up in his Church to continue fulfilling the mission of the Good Shepherd, living like him in chastity, poverty and obedience, at the service of the People of God.

With this prayer for the vocations we thank God for the life and witness of so many priests and consecrated men and women who in pastoral ministry, in prayer, in the work and silence of the cloister, in service to the poor and marginalized, in accompanying the sick and elderly and in the Catholic school are generously spending their lives in the service of God and their brothers and sisters.

The richness brought to the Church by the gift of priestly ministry and consecrated life in its many charisms and institutions is incalculable.

It commits us to think that behind every priestly vocation, there is another call from the Lord to each one of us, Christians, asking for personal effort to ensure the means for their formation and our prayer for their vocation.

The CARF Foundation and its mission towards priests

At the CARF Foundation each year we have more than 800 priests, seminarians and religious who need our help for their formation. They come from more than 100 countries and are being trained in prestigious institutions in Pamplona and Rome in order to help their communities to live a better and fuller life.

The CARF Foundation and its benefactors understand the importance of prayer. Although they don't ask for it, they need your prayers for comfort and to continue their mission. Therefore, on the website you can personalize your prayer for them.

You can also help the Foundation to encourage the habit of praying for vocations among your friends and acquaintances. You can order online a pack to pray for priests that will facilitate this mission.

The church and priests need more committed people like you. With your effort and joy, we can increase the number of scholarships and benefit more priests to make this world a better place.

All the scholarships we offer are destined to a particular priest and you will always have access to his image, names and surnames so that you can put a face to your donation and pray for him and him for you and your family throughout the year.

On this Day and always, may we accompany them with affection and prayer so that they may be faithful to the call they have received and that the Lord may grant us many, holy and generous vocations for the glory of God and the good of the Church.

oración vocaciones
We must pray for priestly vocations.

Prayer for priestly vocations.

Lord Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament,
that you wanted to perpetuate yourself among us
through your Priests,
make their words yours alone,
that their gestures are your gestures,
may his life be a true reflection of yours.

Let them be the men who speak to God about men.
and speak to the men of God.
They should not be afraid of service,
serving the Church as she wants to be served.
May they be men, witnesses of the eternal in our time,
walking along the paths of history with your same step
and doing good to all.

Be faithful to their commitments,
zealous of their vocation and dedication,
clear mirrors of one's own identity
and may they live with the joy of the gift received.
I ask this through your Mother Holy Mary:
She who was present in your life
will always be present in the life of your priests, Amen.

With the collaboration of: Mr. Juan José Asenjo Pelegrina

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation; synergy that transforms

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation have joined forces to carry the message
of the Gospel to thousands of people through digital media and to support the formation of future
priests. Find out how you can be part of this evangelizing mission.

What is 10 Minutes with Jesus?

10 Minutes with Jesus is a daily prayer initiative that offers reflections on the
Gospel of the day. This project was born with the aim of providing a space for prayer and
meditation accessible to all, especially to young people and adults who are looking for a
moment of peace and spiritual connection in the midst of their daily routines. Each reflection lasts
approximately ten minutes and is designed to be listened to through a variety of different
digital channels.

Since its launch, 10 Minutes with Jesus has experienced exponential growth.
What started as a local idea has transcended borders, reaching thousands of people.
in different countries and in several languages. This diffusion has been made possible thanks to the dedication of
the priests involved (among them they call themselves Ignotos so as not to give their names and thus avoid any prominence), and to the effective use of digital platforms such as YouTube,
WhatsApp, Telegram, and other means of communication.

Channels to Listen to 10 Minutes with Jesus

10 Minutes with Jesus has become an essential tool for the daily prayer of the people of
thousands of people around the world. Thanks to the versatility and accessibility of the
digital platforms, this initiative has been able to reach a wide and varied audience.

YouTube is one of the most popular and effective channels for listening to 10 Minutes with
Jesus. The free platform enables users to subscribe to the official channel and receive
notifications each time a new audio video is posted. This ensures that listeners are not
lose any reflection and can easily integrate them into their daily routine. In addition,
YouTube offers a visual experience that complements the audio content. The videos
often include inspirational images and biblical quotations that enrich the reflection.

But what really stands out is the functionality of the button. Super Like. Thanks to the
Super Like at YouTubelisteners can make donations directly to the Foundation.
CARF, thus supporting the formation of future priests, which is essential for carrying out this
evangelization project.

There are also other ways to access the 10 Minutes with Jesus daily reflections. The
The best known is WhatsApp, which allows you to receive the reflections directly on your phone
mobile, facilitating daily access. Another messaging platform that offers a channel
specific for reflections is Telegram.

You will also find 10 Minutes with Jesus on Spotify and other podcast platforms,
ideal for those who prefer to listen to reflections while on the move.

Who are the priests of 10 Minutes with Jesus?

Behind every daily 10 Minutes with Jesus reflection is a dedicated team of
priests who are well trained and committed to their pastoral mission. These priests not only
share their theological and spiritual knowledge, but they also offer a
close and accessible accompaniment of the faithful.

The formation of priests is crucial for the Church and for initiatives such as 10 minutes with
. The CARF Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that priests receive an education that is
The priest is an integral member of the community, embracing both theological and human aspects. A well-formed priest is
able to communicate effectively with the faithful and adapt to the new forms of
evangelization, as demonstrated by the priests participating in 10 Minutes with Jesus.

St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, emphasized the importance of formation
spiritual and academic formation of priests. In his teachings, he commented that the spiritual and academic
The priest's training is not limited to theological knowledge, but must encompass all the
aspects of human life, so that he can be a true shepherd of souls. These words resonate in the mission of the CARF Foundation and in the dedication of the priests who participate in 10 Minutes with Jesus.

Inspiring Stories from 10 Minutes with Jesus listeners

The influence of "10 Minutes with Jesus" is reflected in the numerous testimonials from listeners.
who have found comfort, inspiration, and a deeper connection to their faith through
these daily reflections. A young professional commented: "Since I started listening to 10
Minutes with Jesus, every morning I feel my day begin with purpose and peace. These
reflections help me to focus and remember the importance of my faith in every aspect of my life.
life".

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation have created a powerful alliance that not only leads to
the message of the Gospel to thousands of people around the world, but it also supports the
formation of priests, which are fundamental for evangelization. The active participation of the faithful, either by listening to the reflections, or by making donations through the Super Like on YouTube, or by collaborating with the Foundation, is essential to continue this transformative mission.

The synergy between these two initiatives demonstrates that evangelization can be adapted to the needs of the
modern times and reach people through digital media. By joining this mission,
you not only enrich your spiritual life, but you also contribute to the formation of priests.
Be part of this incredible transformation and help bring God's word to every corner of the world.
corner of the world!

5 requirements and steps to become a priest in Spain

There are some steps to follow to become a priest in Spain from the moment you feel the call and vocation, until you are formed and receive the sacrament of priestly ordination.

In persona Christi

«...The priesthood is conferred by a particular Sacrament, by which the priests are priests, By the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they are sealed with a special character, and are configured with Christ in such a way that they can act in the person of Christ». (Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis n. 2.)

How to become a priest?

To be priest first we have to feel the restlessness inside our hearts, if we understand that we have the vocation to continue on the path that God asks of us, we must go deeper into it.

Vocation and discernment

The vocation is the call. All people have a universal call to be holy, but each person in a different way. Vocations include consecrated life, priesthood, singleness and marriage.

The discernment is the lifelong process of ascertaining God's will through prayer and prayerfulness. spiritual guidance. This process requires a lot of patience.

Requirements to become a priest in Spain

Regarding the mission of a priest "Precisely because he belongs to Christ, the priest is radically at the service of men: he is a minister of their salvation, of their happiness, of their authentic liberation" Benedict XVI.

Steps to become a priest in Spain

Be priest Being a priest is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is a path that takes years to complete and therefore requires strength of heart and firm beliefs.

It is essential to participate in your parish and, in a word, to be an active part of the Church. It is also important to foster a deep habit of prayer and a balanced devotional life. This process goes hand in hand with a sense of vocation and discernment.

In order to become a priest, different sources of knowledge can help in making a decision. Along the way candidates will receive help from their formators and spiritual directors. "

"It is a matter of guarding and cultivating vocations, so that they may bear mature fruit. They are a "diamond in the rough" that must be worked with care, patience and respect for the conscience of the people, so that they may shine in the midst of the people of God.". Pope Francis

Join the Seminar

One of the most important steps to being a priest in Spain is to enter the seminary. Seminaries, such as the Sedes Sapientiae International Seminary in Rome and the Bidasoa International Seminary in Pamplona, form and house seminarians who come from all over the world, sent by their bishops, to study the last four years until their ordination to the diaconate.

Upon their return to their dioceses and after the corresponding practices, they will be ordained as priests.

Attend a Pontifical University

In some cases, and whenever the bishop of the diocese deems it necessary, seminarians may be formed in a more specialized and international center of studies, such as the pontifical universities. These are institutions that provide academic knowledge and where the universality of the Church is lived in the path of the Church. formation of priests.

The study centers promoted by the CARF Foundation are corporate tasks that Opus Dei places at the service of the bishops of the entire world.

All ecclesiastical studies pursued in pontifical institutions qualify for priestly ministry anywhere in the world, provided that the proper license is obtained.

Being called to holy orders

After completing seminary, a bishop may call you to holy orders and ordain you into ministry. The sacrament of priestly ordination consists of consecration to the ministry of service to the Church and to God, which requires full dedication and free disposition to God.

The sacrament of Orders grants the authority to exercise ecclesiastical functions and ministries. It is divided into three degrees of commitment:

"The priest is not a psychologist, nor a sociologist, nor an anthropologist: he is another Christ, Christ himself, to attend to the souls of his brothers." It is Christ who passes by, 79

The work of the CARF Foundation

In the CARF Foundation we want all vocations to reach the priesthood. Therefore, we invite Christians to have a greater commitment and financially support candidates who wish to properly complete their priestly formation.

A solid priestly formation will enable them to better assist all people in the exercise of their ministry. pastoral work.

Testimonials

Sedes Sapientiae and Bidasoa residents spend up to six years in formation to serve the Church on five continents. They have already asked themselves the question of how to become a priest. They have gone through all the steps to become priests in Spain and around the world. Would you like to know their testimonials? We tell you about it on the CARF Foundation website.

Seminarians preparing to become priests are responding to God's call by dedicating their lives to the work of the Church. Just getting to the door of the seminary has already been a struggle and a commitment for all of them.

Infographic: Requirements to become a priest in Spain

Frequently asked questions about becoming a priest in Spain