Seminarian Formation

The Office of Seminarian Formation serves a liaison between the Diocese of Syracuse and the seminarians and various seminaries used by the diocese to educate men for the priesthood. The diocese, working with the various seminaries, follows the Program for Priestly Formation (PPF) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, helping the seminarian to be formed by way of the “four pillars of priestly formation”(from Pastores Dabo Vobis – I Will Give You Shepherds – St. John Paul II, 1995) – Human, Intellectual, Pastoral, and Spiritual formation. 

Currently, the Diocese of Syracuse uses the following seminaries to form men for the priesthood:

Major Seminary

• Mount Saint Mary's, Emmitsburg Maryland
• Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts
• Theological College at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland

Seminarian Review Committee

The role of the Seminarian Review Committee is to work with the Director of Seminarian Formation to review prospective candidates for the priesthood and those already in formation for the priesthood. The committee is made up of the Bishop, priests, a religious sister, and a lay woman. All bring a unique perspective as to how the seminarian can grow, not only in his formation for the priesthood, but in his relationship with the Diocesan Church.

To learn more about our seminarians or for anyone considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, please visit www.vocations-syracuse.org

Interested in supporting our Seminarians? Learn more about the St. Thomas Aquinas Fund.