The Four Pillars

Human Formation
Human Formation is aimed at developing the human person in his relation to other humans. In many ways, this is the dimension of formation that is at once both the most basic and the most difficult. Oftentimes, by the time a young man enters the seminary, he is expected to have accomplished considerable human formation beforehand, whether with family, friends, schoolmates, or some combination of these. Human formation has to do with things like being charitable toward those who annoy us, how to stand your ground in a conflict without being disrespectful, how to have the proper dose of recreation, etc. In other words, human formation is intended to make a prospective Oblate first and foremost into an upstanding young man who commands the respect and admiration of those around him, while at the same time instilling in them a sense of comfort and confidence.

Human formation is not easily accomplished, and tends to be presented in a less-than-formal setting. In the community life of Oblate seminarians (at times both enjoyed and endured), ample opportunity is provided to exercise the traits of a "good person," whether in bearing with patience the defects in others, or in lending an attentive and supportive ear to someone in distress, or in going out with the Fathers for an occasional bite of pizza.

Intellectual Formation
This dimension of the formation process is usually much easier to define. In the case of those preparing to be priests, intellectual formation is accomplished chiefly through their studies at college. In the case of those preparing to be brothers, the spectrum can range from college-level studies taken alongside the candidates for priesthood to simpler lessons in Christian doctrine taught by one of the Fathers, depending on the needs and abilities of the individual seminarian. No matter what the particular arrangement may be, the aim of intellectual formation is to get the seminarian to use his mind to the greatest extent possible, and to learn to expand both his horizons and his abilities.

Spiritual Formation
On the journey toward profession (and ordination), a man's relationship with God takes on paramount importance, and so spiritual formation is also extraordinarily important. The process of spiritual formation takes place around rather specific activities, but it is also in part the responsibility of the seminarian himself. On the part of the formators, the Oblate community provides its seminarians with opportunities to enrich their spiritual lives through daily Mass, frequent confession, our weekly Novena to Ss. Joseph & Joseph Marello, our monthly Holy Hour for vocations, our monthly Community Retreat, and, perhaps most concretely in the seminary life, community prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary, as well as communal spiritual reading. In addition to these structured spiritual activities, seminarians are expected and encouraged to foster a private prayer life, and the constant availability of a quiet chapel is often seen by seminarians as a great blessing.

As formation continues over the course of years, formators will take notice that a seminarian is comfortable at prayer, and that he has frequent recourse to prayer throughout his day-to-day life. The Oblates recognize that a good priest and a good religious must, first and foremost, have an unshakeable faith and a constant devotion to God.

Pastoral Formation
The area of pastoral formation, meant not only for those who feel called to priesthood, but also to Brother candidates, is meant to help the seminarian learn how to relate to people in a truly compassionate and Christ-like manner. One of the surprises often encountered by seminarians is the difficulty they have meeting the demands and expectations of the laity who surround them, while at the same time fulfilling their role as a student and a seminarian. Worse yet, this does not become easier upon ordination or profession. Pastoral formation is meant to prepare the seminarian for the life and responsibilities he will encounter once he has finished his preparations. A close involvement with the parish apostolate is the main vehicle for accomplishing this goal. In being given responsibilities at the parishes, such as teaching catechism and directing altar servers, seminarians are kept from having any delusions about what their lives will be like once seminary is over, and they gain real-life practical experience to help them handle the work that they will one day take on as Oblates.