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The Saintly Intellect

Faculty Workshop for Seminary Theologians

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

Fresco of Jesus and Apostles eating the Last Supper.

Last Supper — Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1480, fresco. San Marco Convent, Florence, Italy

We at the Institute are ready to help you accomplish the mission of all seminary theologians: the formation of contemplative priests filled with pastoral desire.

 

The Goal

The goal of The Saintly Intellect Faculty workshop:

  • To Meditate with seminary faculties on the new Program for Priestly Formation (2006) and its recognizing that spirituality is “heart of seminary life” and “the center around which all other aspects are integrated” (n115).
  • To Affirm and help promote the vision of the 1993 document issued by the Congregation for Catholic Education entitled, “Directives Concerning the Preparation of Seminary Educators.” This work highlighted the unique formation needs of all those in faculty positions at seminaries. The document envisioned that someday a special institute would be established to serve the spiritual needs of seminary administrators and faculty (n.2, 3, 12, 76, 77). In order to achieve this end the document challenged the appropriate leaders to establish opportunities that would minister to the spiritual and vocational formation needs of the seminary faculty.

Deacon Keating’s presentation was extraordinary...giving birth
to a great deal of reflection on the part of our faculty. The fruit
of such reflection now spills over into how they teach theology.
— Very Rev. Michael Glenn, Rector,
St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver, CO

 


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The Challenge

The Institute for Priestly Formation takes up this challenge and offers to seminaries the opportunity of joining with us in realizing the ongoing spiritual formation of seminary theologians as it relates to their academic duties. As Benedict xvi noted in Deus Caritas Est.,

 

“...The good pastor must be rooted in contemplation. Only in this way will he be able to take upon himself the needs of others and make them his own. [Look at] the example of Moses, who entered the tabernacle time and again, remaining in dialogue with God, so that when he emerged he could be at the service of his people. Within [the tent] he is borne aloft through contemplation, while without he is completely engaged in helping those who suffer.”

 

The Workshop
  • Conducted at seminaries upon request.
  • Inservice day consists of three presentations plus time of prayer, silence and group discussion.

The Saintly Intellect workshop was very effective. It gave the faculty
an opportunity to truly begin a process of integrating their academic expertise with the depth of Catholic spirituality.
— Rev. Ed Richard, Vice Rector & Dean of Students,
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO

 

Additional Information

For information on how to bring this workshop in-service day to your seminary 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 Facutly | Rev. Keating’s Weblog