At the heart of formation at Cardinal Muench Seminary is Vocational Formation. Each year all seminarians at Cardinal Muench Seminary are required to complete sessions in this formation which is multi-faceted, and rooted and centered in the spiritual life.
Vocational Formation is structured upon the three layers of a priestly vocation: human, Christian, and priestly. Each layer rests upon one prior, both logically and chronologically. Thus, the foundational layer is the most general and common, namely the vocation to manhood. For the seminarian the most specific layer is the vocation to the diocesan priesthood.
Weekly formation sessions are held which are based upon the presentation of each layer in spiritually integrated terms. The seminarians are asked to prepare for each session by completing a week of lectio divina on a previously chosen text of Sacred Scripture. The formation session itself entails discussing their spiritual experiences and the meaning of discovered truths. Special emphasis is placed upon the relational quality of each layer. Finally, they are invited to choose the virtues which embody living Christ’s life.
By considering the vocation to manhood, the seminarian is invited to live fully his most basic call from God. He is formed to consciously appreciate and employ his natural gifts as healed and uplifted by God’s grace. Particular emphasis is given to the heart of his mission of being a man in Christ, namely to give himself totally for the sake of others.
Regarding the second layer, as a further development of the first call, the seminarian is called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Essentially, this consists of the living out of the gift of an ongoing personal encounter with the Lord and the life of the sacraments, as founded on the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. By rooting the seminarian in the personal following of Christ, the way to the priesthood is lived as a particular way of being His disciple and imitating Him.
The vocation to the diocesan priesthood (as the topmost layer) embodies the greatest specificity with respect to the seminarian’s particular call from Christ the High Priest. Particular emphasis is placed upon discerning rightly the call to the priesthood. The seminarian is prepared to respond to the grace of the sacrament of Holy Orders to be received in the future.
William Ruelle (left) with Dr. William Weiler.
In order for Cardinal Muench Seminary to provide a baccalaureate degree to its seminarians (PPF, n. 175), there has been a long-standing agreement between Cardinal Muench Seminary and North Dakota State University [NDSU]. Seminarians at Cardinal Muench Seminary take their general academic classes at NDSU, and, at the same time, take courses at Cardinal Muench Seminary to satisfy the requirements of the PPF.
The faculty of the Cardinal Muench Seminary represents four disciplines: Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy-Humanities, and Theology. Other disciplines necessary for an undergraduate education, such as the natural sciences and mathematics, are provided by the faculty of NDSU.
There are two basic academic programs: the College Program and Pre-Theology. Complete program requirements, course descriptions, as well as academic policies are listed in the CMS Catalog.
The College Program at Cardinal Muench Seminary is designed for young men entering college for the first time or are already in college but have not completed an undergraduate degree. As a norm, they are expected to spend at least three years in the college program. At the end of his course of studies, a seminarian earns a degree in Philosophy / Humanities.
The three year Pre-Theology Program is designed for men who already have a four-year college degree and need only specific coursework necessary to enter major seminary. Cardinal Muench Seminary’s Pre-Theology Program provides the necessary philosophy, theology, classical languages, and music coursework to prepare a seminarian for graduate studies in a theologate.
Seminarians volunteer
to rake a neighbor's lawn
Formation in Service is accomplished through formation classes, job assignments at the seminary and an apostolic work placement in the local community. Through these experiences the seminarian develops balanced relationships with others and the motivation of pastoral charity.
The seminarian learns about the qualities of a servant in formation classes, and demonstrates responsibility and respect of his fellow seminarians by accomplishing weekly job duties in the seminary community. Every seminarian is assigned an apostolic work in the local community. Among the apostolic works are: visiting patients in a hospital or nursing home, serving in a soup kitchen or food pantry, and being a companion to the handicapped or dying. Through this pastoral work the seminarian is formed to be like Christ the Good Shepherd, who came to serve.
The seminarians also receive liturgical training. The first-year men are taught to serve, read, be a cantor and plan the various liturgical celebrations. These duties continue throughout their years at Cardinal Muench Seminary. Additionally, once a month the seminarian community participates in Mass in a local parish.
The following table summarizes the core formation program, which pre-theologians complete in 3 years. Most transferring collegians are also able to complete it in 3 years. Four-year collegians receive the same formation, but spread over four years.
| Year | Vocational Formation |
Academic Formation | Formation in Service |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | LOGOS†, Practica‡, Vocation to Manhood |
History of Culture Logic Ethics |
Sacred Scripture Latin I Music |
Apostolic Works I |
| II | Vocation to Discipleship |
Ancient Philosophy Medieval Phil. Metaphysics Natural Theology |
Church History Latin II Music |
Apostolic Works II |
| III | Vocation to Priesthood |
Modern Philosophy Contemporary Phil. Anthropology Epistemology |
Catechism Greek I Music |
Apostolic Works III |
† “LOGOS” is an introduction to priestly formation
‡ Pratica includes contemplative prayer practicum, liturgical practicum, study practicum, and others.