Priesthood Formation

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A Year of Discernment

Spend a year learning about Catholic culture, spirituality and the vocation of priesthood.

Apply for El Camino

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology’s Year of Spiritual Pilgrimage, El Camino, introduces men who are discerning priesthood to the depths and richness of Catholic culture, while helping them to discover how their story and vocation fits within that broader story.

Following the Program of Priestly Formation (6th Edition) description of the propaedeutic stage, Saint Meinrad offers a robust year of discernment where participants begin to develop “a life of prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation.”

 The program provides:

  • Introduction to spiritual direction, lectio divina, and daily lessons in spiritual practice.
  • A community of daily prayer and worship distinct from other Saint Meinrad seminarians, but with opportunities for periodic interaction with them.
  • Weekly, seminar-style study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially parts I and III.
  • Seminar-style classes on works from the Western tradition with a view toward supplementing the seminarian’s general education, honing study skills, and fostering a love of learning.
  • Optional Spanish-language acquisition classes and ministry opportunities emphasizing intercultural competency.
  • Introduction to the practice of theological reflection and introductory lessons in good habit formation aimed at a life of celibacy.
  • The opportunity for pilgrimage (the El Camino Santiago de Compostela) as a capstone retreat.