Creighton University

The Vocation of the Seminary Theologian | Admission Requirements
The Saintly Intellect | Retreat for Seminary Faculty | Deacon Keating’s Weblog

The Institute for Priestly Formation has programs that will minister to the spiritual and vocational needs of seminary theologians exclusively.

 

 

The Vocation of the Seminary Theologian

The seminary professor approaches the study of theology first and foremost from the perspective of faith, and not primarily critique. He or she thinks out of love, teaches out of a sense of pastoral desire, and writes and publishes so that such a love and desire can further enhance the mission of the parish priest . Those called to seminary teaching will wish to teach in such a way that invites the seminarian to enter the Mystery of Revelation in trust, hoping that such trust filled study envelopes the student and the professor in the presence of God. This approach to academics complements the more scientific approach in the university but is by no means less rigorous or demanding of an intellectual conversion on the part of the seminarian. This is so because the methods of seeking truth still hold even while one receives this truth in a disposition of prayer and love. The seminary professor is called to be sensitive not only to the tenets of his or her academic discipline but to the interior movements of the Spirit. In so doing the professor orders his or her subject matter to serve the ultimate goal of seminary formation: the holiness of a future priest who is marked by pastoral desire. This desire is born of loving the One he has come to know in and through his study of devine revelation.

 

To promote the spiritual development of seminary theologians the Institute for Priestly Formation sponsors two programs:

• One program, which is academic in nature, is offered to the entire seminary faculty on site at the hosting seminary. It is a one day workshop entitled, The Saintly Intellect. The goal of this program is to concretize the call to be a seminary theologian within the Program for Priestly Formation. This new Program makes spirituality the heart and integrating core of all seminary formation, including academics.
• The second program, Retreat for Seminary Faculty: Resting on the Heart of Christ, is a personal retreat for individual theologians, a time for prayer, spiritual direction and affirmation held a different intervals during the year on the campus of Creighton University, home of the Institute.

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Applicants should be part of a Roman Catholic seminary formation program. The application process includes a personal faith reflection instrument, “The Inner Heart of My Faith.”

 

Information & Application

Form further information, or an applicatin, please write or contact:

Rev. Mr. James Keating, Ph.D.

Director of Theological Formation

The Institute for Priestly Formation

Creighton University

2500 California Plaza

Omaha, NE 68178-0300

Telephone (402) 280-3326

Fax: (402) 280-3529

E-mail: ipf@creighton.edu

Weblog: www.deaconjameskeating.blogspot.com/

 

The Vocation of the Seminary Theologian | Admission Requirements
The Saintly Intellect | Retreat for Seminary Faculty | Rev. Keating’s Weblog