Why Saint Meinrad

Spiritual Formation

The Program of Priestly Formation states that "the final goal of spiritual formation in the seminary is the establishment of attitudes, habits, and practices in the spiritual life that will continue after ordination. Spiritual formation in the seminary is meant to set the foundation for a lifetime of priestly ministry." Among these attitudes, habits and practices are prayer and the celebration of the sacraments, spiritual direction, annual retreats, and continuing education and formation in the spiritual life.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is essential to priestly formation for it fosters, encourages and challenges the seminarian's growth in Christian life. Spiritual direction helps the seminarian to understand his religious and faith experience by helping him clarify and verbalize what the Spirit is doing in his life. Seminarians are required to meet with their spiritual directors regularly, ordinarily every two to three weeks.

Eucharist

The Eucharist forms the backbone of the communal prayer at Saint Meinrad, reflecting the ebb and flow of the liturgical seasons and gathering the faithful for the prayer of the Church and the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Seminarians participate daily in the Eucharist with the School of Theology community and pray Morning Prayer in common Monday through Friday. The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held most Tuesday evenings.

Prayer

Saint Meinrad School of Theology encourages students to be intentional about setting aside regular times for individual and communal prayer. All students are encouraged to adopt rhythms and methods of personal prayer suitable to their temperament and lifestyle. Seminarians are assisted in developing the habit of personal and private prayer, which includes the Liturgy of the Hours, lectio divina (spiritual reading) and prayerful reflection.

Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is available three evenings a week in the School chapel and upon request from any priest faculty member. Twice during the year, there is a communal celebration of the sacrament.

Days of Prayer

Twice a year, in September and on Ash Wednesday, the community of the School of Theology devotes an entire day to prayer. Students are invited to plan, implement and participate in these special days.

Retreats

Each seminarian makes at least one annual retreat. First-year pre-theology seminarians participate in a preached retreat at Saint Meinrad. Second-year pre-theology seminarians experience a Holy Week retreat, with conferences and liturgical services that the students celebrate with the monks. First Theology (MDiv.) students participate in a "Towards Jerusalem" program, which introduces them to an Ignatian style, eight-day directed silent retreat. Second- and third-year Theology students ordinarily make directed, individual retreats, while fourth-year students make two retreats: the first, as a class, takes place during the summer preceding their final year of studies and formation. Then, each deacon makes an individual directed retreat during the School's retreat week to prepare for his priestly ordination.

		Fr. Kurt Stasiak, OSB Director of Spiritual Formation 200 Hill Drive St. Meinrad, IN 47577 kstasiak@saintmeinrad.edu
		Fr. Joseph Moriarty Associate Director of Spiritual Formation 200 Hill Drive St. Meinrad, IN 47577 (812) 357-6231 jmoriarty@saintmeinrad.edu
		Fr. Jonathan Fassero, OSB Associate Director of Spiritual Formation 200 Hill Drive St. Meinrad, IN 47577 (812) 357-6762 jfassero@saintmeinrad.edu
		Fr. Gabriel Kim Associate Director of Spiritual Formation 200 Hill Drive St. Meinrad, IN 47577 (812) 357-6891 gkim@saintmeinrad.edu

A Spiritual Formation Committee comprised of student representatives assists in overseeing the program.