Remember the patron saint of parish priests. Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary is dedicated to him. This seminary stands as a beacon of faith and learning in Denver.
Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary was established in 1999. It replaced the former St. Thomas Seminary. Cardinal James Stafford purchased the St. Thomas Seminary campus in 1995. He renamed it the St. John Paul II Center.
Imagine entering the seminary grounds. You will see dedicated seminarians. They are studying for the priesthood. Others are training to become permanent deacons. Lay people also come to deepen their understanding of Catholicism.
The seminary’s program for seminarians follows four pillars. These are human formation, spiritual formation, pastoral formation, and intellectual formation. The seminary has a spirituality year. This is a year for prayer study and service. Next is a pre-theology cycle. This lasts two or three years and covers philosophy and languages. Finally comes the theology cycle. This is a four-year program. It covers theological and pastoral disciplines.
During the spirituality year seminarians commit to prayer. They attend retreats and give up phones and computers. They study scripture and spiritual classics. They also undertake apostolic assignments. These include teaching and ministering to the sick.
The pre-theology cycle focuses on philosophy and languages. Saint John Vianney offers three undergraduate philosophy programs. These programs help seminarians prepare for the theology cycle.
The theology cycle is a four-year graduate-level program. Seminarians earn a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree. They also earn a Master of Divinity degree.
Saint Francis School of Theology for Deacons is part of Saint John Vianney Seminary. It trains permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver. The professors are the same as those who teach the seminarians.
The Catechetical School and the Denver Catholic Biblical School are also divisions of Saint John Vianney Seminary. These schools are for laypeople. The Catechetical School offers small group study and lectures. The Denver Catholic Biblical School offers lectures and coursework on the Bible.
Saint John Vianney is accredited. It is affiliated with the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. It is also affiliated with Regis University in Denver.
Saint John Vianney serves many dioceses. As of 2014, 136 men were attending the seminary. They came from various dioceses to prepare for the priesthood.
In its 25th year Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary is seen as a model for others. Since its beginning it has ordained many men to the priesthood. The seminary is growing. A new recreation center has been built.
The seminary’s founder Cardinal Stafford wanted to change how seminarians were formed. He wanted them to be rooted in profound spirituality. Saint John Vianney has a spirituality year. This is now mandated at all Catholic seminaries in the nation.
Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary stands as a testament to faith formation and service. It prepares men and women to serve the Church.