FORMATION PROGRAM

The Formation Program at St. Joseph Seminary follows the directives of:

• Pope John Paul II's 1994 encyclical, Pastores Dabo Vobis.
• The Program of Priestly Formations, published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (Fourth addition, 1992)
• The Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George.

According to these directives, the Formation program encourages seminarians to develop in the following four levels: HUMAN / SPIRITUAL / INTELLECTUAL / PASTORAL

Human, Spiritual, Intellectual and Pastoral Formation take on several aspects, all directed at the ongoing development of the man called to be a priest for the 21st Century. This includes several specified relationships as well as some planned programs:

Relationships: FORMATION TEAM
Rector	Fr. James Presta
Dean of Academics	Fr. Paul Mueller, S.J.
Director of Liturgy	Fr. Paul Duy Duc Cao
Director of Spiritual Formation	Fr. Larry Maddock
Director of Pastoral Formation	Sr. Judith Anne Haase, O.P.
Formation Directors	Fr. Walsh, Fr. Cao

FORMATION PROGRAMS

RETREATS:
Seminarians participate in two seminary wide retreats a year. The first is held at the beginning of the year by class. The second retreat includes all the seminarians and is held at the beginning of the of the Spring semester at Mundelein Seminary.

SEMINARS:
Seminarians participate in a weekend long seminar to learn in detail about a particular issue. Topics from past seminars include: Sexuality, Multiculturalism and Pro-Life.

MONDAY NIGHT FORMATION:
On Monday evenings during each semester, the seminarians will gather for a presentation on a topic related to priestly formation. Each presentation will allow for a variety of processes to enhance the theme. The themes throughout the year cover human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation. Periodically, seminarians will gather in small groups with a Priest Advisor for faith sharing following a presentation. Monday Night Formations always conclude with Night Prayer.