Creighton University

May 25 - July 31, 2008

Overview | Highlights | Foundational Living Principles | Objectives & Creative Uses
Components of the IPF Program | Daily & Weekly Schedule | IPF Summer Finances
Advantages | Admissions | IPF Faculty | Reading References | Program References

In response to the Holy Spirit's guidance in the 1990 World Synod of Bishops’ call for a more intense period of formation for priesthood candidates, the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) has created a summer program of spiritual formation for diocesan seminarians. The IPF program offers an experience both personally challenging and spiritually inspiring.

 

This program responds to our contemporary age's need for concentrated spiritual formation and instruction in the Catholic faith by integrating prayer and shared faith, study and supervised pastoral work in a profoundly personalized manner. All of these elements in their appropriate integration are explicitly aimed at the religious experience of recognizing and cooperating with Jesus' Spirit stirring in the seminarian's heart and in our world.

 

Growth in relational prayer stands at the heart of this program's formation for seminarians. Through daily prayer, retreats and weekly one-on-one spiritual direction, the heart is exercised and expanded to be able to receive God's love by relating with the Trinity and Mary as real persons.

 

This Trinitarian love is witnessed to the seminarian in a variety of ways: in the chaste love of those in the formation community, in the apostolate, as well as in other relationships. The experience of this love is deepened by systematic theological reflection, guided by a curriculum which exposes the seminarian to the spiritual tradition of the Church and helps him to receive it anew in our own day. A special integrating element in this reflection is the course, "Christian Spirituality and Sexuality."

 

In this holistic human formation the seminarian deepens his appreciation for the gift of celibacy. Celibacy is understood not as a denial of sexuality, rather as a gift that leads to fulfillment in a spousal experience of Trinitarian and Marian love - a love always fueling the generative, active ministry of the priest.

 

Finally, this program will develop the specific charisms that constitute the diocesan priesthood as a unique identity and spirituality. As a means to this end, it will make use of Ignatian spirituality with its emphasis on active, apostolic spirituality, so central to the life of diocesan priests. This spiritual formation will prepare diocesan priests to play their appropriate role of leadership in the Church of the 21st century.

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IPF’s Program for Seminarians, focusing on the heartfelt experience of God, includes:

• Growth in holiness through daily prayer
• Weekly one-on-one spiritual direction and an individually directed silent retreat
• Interplay between theology and practical faith
• Integration of sexuality with celibacy as a generative gift from God
• Discernment for pastoral leadership
• Summary of growth and blessings
• Apostolic service
• Appreciation of the unique identity of diocesan priests
• Contemplative leisure

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1. The Holy Spirit as Our Source of Life and Holiness
2. Scripturally Grounded Relational Prayer as Foundational to an Integrated Christian Life: an Inquiring Intellect, a Balanced Affect, and Healthy Psychological and Sexual Development
3. Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist as the Source of Christian Maturity Lived in Gratitude
4. Mary’s Life as the Model of Discipleship in the Holy Spirit’s Joy
5. Fidelity to Christ’s Teaching Authority as Prophetically Heard through the Catholic Church’s Magisterium
6. Apostolic Spirituality Requiring an Interior Solitude with God Alone, which Shapes a Priest’s Heart to Lead as Shepherd, Spouse, Spiritual Physician, and Spiritual Father

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Objectives

1. To grow in personal holiness through Trinitarian prayer
2. To ground firmly and to increase a heartfelt devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary which fosters a faith that does justice in our world
3. To promote an on-going healthy integration of celibate sexuality as a prophetic counter-cultural gift of the Father’s love in the power of the Holy Spirit
4. To enkindle the priestly candidate’s desires and abilities to integrate future studies with prayer rooted in Scripture
5. To awaken heartfelt discernment for future pastoral service as a priest, a spiritual physician and spiritual father
6. To promote the unique identity and spirituality of diocesan priesthood
7. To create a genuine fraternity among the next generation of Catholic priests for the twenty-first century

 

Creative Uses

The IPF program adapts easily to individual and local diocesan needs. Pastoral years may be integrated with this period of intensive spiritual formation. IPF’s credits may be transferred to supplement pre-theology and theology programs.

 

Overview | Highlights | Foundational Living Principles | Objectives & Creative Uses
Components of the IPF Program | Daily & Weekly Schedule | IPF Summer Finances
Advantages | Admissions | IPF Faculty | Reading References | Program References