Built Differently

“Young men who feel called to priesthood, although well intentioned, often have enormous gaps in their prior formation and upbringing. Many lack interpersonal communication skills. Many need basic formation in Catholic teaching. Not infrequently, they need counselling to discover and deal with trauma: “father wounds,” bullying, parental divorce, porn addiction and even sexual abuse. Added to that, they must acquire qualities and pastoral skills before ordination.”

— Fr. Thomas Berg, It Starts with Our Seminaries

This is a reality we take seriously.

Today’s seminarians are answering God’s call to become priests and serve his Church, but many come carrying real wounds and real needs. Intellectual formation is not enough, as Fr. Berg reminds us: “A doctorate in theology does not render a priest automatically suitable for such ministry.”

That’s why we form our seminarians differently.

In addition to enrollment at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in preparation for ministry, our seminarians undergo intentional formation that addresses the whole person:

First-Year Formation

Seminarians live at Assumption Farm, focusing on human, spiritual, and community growth under the guidance of our director of First-Year Formation.

Visitation House

At Visitation House in Detroit, they continue to grow under the guidance of the CC Formation Team, living in brotherhood with fellow seminarians and priests.

Summer Formation

Through the summer, seminarians grow in leadership as they conduct parish missions. They share the Gospel, minister in the Gifts of the Spirit, and pray for healing over the parishioners they minister to.

Pastoral Internship

Finally, seminarians gain hands-on experience in parish life and priestly ministry during their year-long internship at a CC parish. They are mentored by and minister with their CC priest brothers.

We don’t rush young men to the priesthood; we bring them to the priesthood well-formed and well rounded.