Editing Seminary (section)

==Roman Catholicism==
General guidelines for seminary formation are set out in the governing document as of 2016 is ''Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis'', 1992's ''[[Pastores dabo vobis]]'', and the ''[[1983 Code of Canon Law#Book II. The People of God (Cann. 204-746)|Code of Canon Law]]''. Seminaries are overseen by regional [[episcopal conference|conferences of bishops]]. In the United States, the governing document is ''Program of Priestly Formation: in the United States of America (6th Ed.)'', published by the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]] in 2022.

Seminaries in the Catholic Church are divided into [[minor seminary|minor seminaries]] for teenagers and major seminaries for adults, including both college seminaries, sometimes also known as minor seminaries, for undergraduate students and post-graduate seminaries for those who already have a [[bachelor's degree]]. There are also seminaries for older adults who are well out of school, such as the [[Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology]] in Wisconsin, and for other more specialized purposes.

All seminaries are run either by [[religious order]]s or by [[diocese]]s or other similar structures.  Often a seminary will train both that particular order's or diocese's priests and the priests of other orders or dioceses that select that particular seminary for its priests. For instance, [[Saint John's Seminary (Massachusetts)|Saint John's Seminary]] in Boston, Massachusetts trains priests for many of the other dioceses in New England which are [[suffragan diocese]]s of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston]]. Either way, a man who seeks to enter a seminary to become a priest must be sponsored by either a diocese or by a religious order.

Often a diocese might be attached to or affiliated with a larger Catholic college or university so that the larger college and its faculty provides more general education in history or theology while the seminary focuses on topics specific to the needs of future priests, such as training in [[canon law]], the [[sacrament]]s, and [[preaching]], or specific to the particular order or diocese. For instance the [[Theological College (Catholic University of America)|Theological College]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], is part of [[The Catholic University of America]].

Further, in Rome there are several seminaries which educate seminarians or already ordained priests and bishops and which are maintained by orders or dioceses from outside of Italy. Many countries have their own [[Roman Colleges|pontifical seminary]] in Italy, usually very close to the Vatican. For instance, the [[Pontifical North American College]], which trains priests from the United States and elsewhere, is supported by the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]]. These colleges usually award degrees to seminarians and priests pursuing further education and specializing in specific fields such as [[Bible|Scripture]], [[hagiography]], [[moral theology]], or [[Canon Law]], among countless others. In addition to civil degrees, these pontifical seminaries confer ecclesiastical degrees ([[Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology]], [[Licentiate of Sacred Theology]], and [[Doctorate of Sacred Theology]]), which are backed by the Holy See. Only some [[Catholic higher education|Catholic universities]] may bestow these degrees; these are called [[Ecclesiastical university|ecclesiastical]] or [[Pontifical university|pontifical universities]]. The only pontifical ''seminary'' outside of Italy is the [[Pontifical College Josephinum]], in [[Columbus, Ohio]].

As outlined by the ''Ratio'', Catholic seminary formation is composed of four major components, or dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. The '''human dimension''' focuses on the seminarian's ability to relate to others, show etiquette, and care for himself (in what he eats, frequency of exercise, healthcare, etc.). The '''spiritual dimension''' aids the seminarian in becoming more responsive to God and forming a habit of prayer throughout the day. It also emphasizes the importance of the [[Sacraments]] and [[Catholic liturgy|liturgy]]. The '''intellectual dimension''' consists of academic classes, usually beginning with a college degree, usually a [[Bachelor of Arts]] or a [[Bachelor of Philosophy]], and terminating in a higher degree, such as a [[Master of Arts]] in Theology or a [[Master of Divinity]]. The '''pastoral dimension''' helps to develop pastoral familiarity with situations such as [[bedside manner]], marriage, and life in the parish.

For Catholic seminarians, seminary formation can be divided into four distinct stages of formation.
# '''Propaedeutic Stage''': the seminarian primarily grows in prayer and his relationship with God, study of Scripture, and Church teaching. He also significantly grows in the human dimension. This stage lasts from 12 months to three years and can be compared in many ways to a [[postulant]] in religious life.
# '''Discipleship Stage''': the seminarian begins his academic studies and continues to follow Christ as a disciple. If he entered out of high school, he usually pursues the Bachelor of Arts, which takes four years. If he did some college, he pursues the same degree, but it may take less time. If he already achieved a college degree, he pursues a two-year Bachelor of Philosophy.
# '''Configuration Stage''': the seminarian becomes configured to Christ. At this point, he has a regular habit of prayer. Focus in formation becomes more and more pastoral, as he gets closer to ordination. At the beginning of this stage, he receives candidacy (similar to [[Tonsure]]), which means he is expected to eventually be ordained. The seminarian may (depending on his region) begin wearing [[clerical attire]]. This stage usually lasts three to four years and ends in master's degree.
# '''Vocational Synthesis Stage''': the seminarian is ordained. He becomes a [[deacon]] and transitions into parish life for a period of at least six months. He becomes a priest thereafter, usually becoming a [[parochial vicar]] before becoming a [[pastor]].