The Propaedeutic Program: Building the Man Behind the Priest

By Nicholas Prud’homme, Propaedeutic Seminarian

It has been nearly 1 month since I and my 9 other seminarian brothers from the Diocese of San Bernardino arrived at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, TX for our first year of seminary formation known as the Propaedeutic Stage. The Propaedeutic Stage, as outlined in the Program for Priestly Formation (PPF), is designed as a preparatory year which emphasizes the seminarian’s human formation as well as some spiritual formation. This human formation, in simple terms, is aimed at making us good men - which of course should be a prerequisite for someone who wishes to one day be a good priest.

            Two main points have seemed to have naturally revealed themselves as the focus for this year of formation; Self-Discipline and Self-Knowledge, with both having already become staples of our day to day lives.

            In regards to self-discipline, we have regular mandatory events scheduled (morning and evening prayer, conferences, daily Mass and class a couple days out of the week) but the majority of the day is left up to us to determine how we best see fit to grow and reflect. While arriving at scheduled times of prayer and conferences is a discipline in itself, a much greater discipline to master is what to do with so much free time. Should I work-out or read? Go to the chapel to pray or work on an assignment for class? Play another game of chess with a brother or take a valuable nap? These may all seem like inconsequential decisions until we are called on by our formators to reflect on how we have been using our time.

            When taking these times of reflection seriously it brings to the surface many of the things that are lacking in each of our individual persons, and is the beginning of our self-knowledge. We have times of group discussion where we are encouraged to vocalize these parts of ourselves that we have reflected on and try to get the heart of where they come from. Acknowledging these deficiencies and making firm resolutions to improve upon them are integral parts of our growth as men - especially as we discern the vocation of a diocesean priest, a life that is often solitudinous, where self-discipline is vital to one’s flourishing.

            I have loved this dynamic so far and it has been a great task working to build certain disciplines into my own life. I have always been someone who thrives when I am on a strict routine, but if that routine is not apparent to me then it can be hard to motivate myself to fill in empty space. This has made me reflect on where I naturally spend more of my time during the day (mainly reading, writing or praying) and I have realized the need to dedicate more time to my physical health. The solution was to get up earlier than I am comfortable with and to go to the gym first thing in the morning. The fruits from these two small changes have been quite noticeable. They have gone beyond merely physical benefits, having benefitted me mentally and spiritually as well.

           Another change for me has been living in a community of 15 other brothers. This new dynamic has helped me realize things about myself that I had never known - simply because I had never lived in such close proximity with so many people. Some of these things are good, others are areas that can be improved upon, but there is a certain grace that comes with even recognizing these not-so-great parts of ourselves.

            I believe that these acknowledgements are the main player in the spiritual formation aspect of the Propaedeutic Stage. In our times in prayer we have an opportunity to hand over to God all the parts of ourselves where we have acknowledged we are lacking. Then we are able to ask Him, in His mercy, to transform us. There is a wonderful freedom that is felt when offering an imperfection of ours to God then, solely by the power of His grace, seeing ourselves change. These times in prayer also help us remember why we are here and what the purpose of these changes are. We are not here to become better men so that we can show everyone how great we are. Rather, we are digging into the depths of who we are so that we can become most like the men God intended us to be. The reason for this human formation, this emphasis on self-discipline and self-knowledge, is to become very good men in hopes of one day becoming very good priests.

Nicholas Prud’homme, Home Parish: Sacred Heart, Palm Desert

            The short time spent in the Propaedeutic Stage has been a great affirmation in my personal discernment. God’s presence is so noticeable day in and day out whether in prayer, conversations with brothers, group reflections, or in those times when we notice our growth as men and disciples. I am so thankful for how God has entered into my life and the life of my brothers thus far, and I look forward to seeing just how much He has in store for us throughout the rest of this year.