“Priestly formation is a journey of transformation that renews the heart and mind of the person, so that he can ‘discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect’ (Rom 12:2). Indeed, the gradual inner growth along the journey of formation should principally be aimed at making the future priest a ‘man of discernment,’ able to read the reality of human life in the light of the Spirit.  In this way he will be able to choose, decide and act according to the will of God.”
— Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (#43)

 

The primary mission of Theological College is to form men for priestly life and ministry. The priest is a man configured to Christ, head, shepherd, and servant of the Church and empowered to act in the name of the people of God.

The sacrament of holy orders confers upon the priest a permanent and irrevocable link to Christ and to the Church. It confers an identity and a mission which call for a special way of life, involving celibacy, simplicity, obedience, prayer, and pastoral service.

Theological College is uniquely qualified to prepare seminarians for the priesthood in the 21st century. Situated in the heart of Washington, D.C., with access to a world-class Philosophy and Theology faculty, a formation faculty with 150 years of collective experience,  and a rich array of pastoral ministry opportunities, Theological College offers a program that trains men to become wise, holy, and happy priests ready to serve the Church of America.

The formation faculty brings their decades of experience to the formation process with a profound knowledge of each dimension of formation: the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.  In the internal forum with his spiritual director and in the external forum with his formation advisor, each seminarian regularly discusses his concerns, questions, and experiences regarding all of these dimensions of formation.