Discipleship Stage

The “Discipleship Stage” is the second formal stage of seminary formation, which has “at its core the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the life of meditation and contemplation, as well as the training of one’s character in Christian virtue.” (PPF 6, #132) During this stage, the man is invited to develop his interior life more deeply, including the greater capacity to discern his vocation. The study of philosophy occurs during this stage, as do the human emphases on self-awareness, affective maturity, and living well within a community.

Knowing that “men enter the Discipleship Stage at varying levels of life, work, and educational experience” (PPF 6, #133), St. Charles Borromeo Seminary offers two distinct programs in this stage of formation – the College Seminary (for undergraduates), and the Pre-Theology Program (for those who already have college degrees from other institutions.

On some occasions, it may be determined that a seminarian needs extra time for prayer, discernment, and growth before he is admitted to the next stage of formation (Configuration Stage). St. Charles will continue to offer its well-established “Spiritual Year” for those dioceses who request this option. Proper discernment will be taken in each case to ensure that the program and the candidate are a mutual fit.

Please click on the links below for more detailed descriptions of each program.