Aug 28, 2015
by MOSAIC Editorial Team
Nine-week summer program jumpstarts seminarians into graduate-level studies.
This demanding nine-week program is run by the professional formators of the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF). The IPF has a special mission, commissioned by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops: helping priests and seminarians to develop a deeper spiritual life. The program assists a seminarian about to enter graduate school to discern if indeed the Lord is calling him to continue on toward a priestly vocation. It provides a spiritual boost, a jumpstart so to speak to his interior life, as he enters a strenuous four-year stretch of graduate-level formation.
Zaid Chabaan is a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He attended this summer's Institute for Priestly Formation program along with six other Sacred Heart seminarians. Here are a few of his thoughts about the IFP experience.
The Institute for Priestly Formation, or IPF, has been a remarkable and life-changing experience for me. IPF is focused on helping a seminarian grow in all aspects of priestly formationat the core, spiritual formation is the center of the priestly identity.
The IPF has been filled with many grace-filled moments. The classes we have been taking are all centered on diocesan spirituality and priesthood. The instructors for our classes have been wonderful models of Christian virtue.
The structure of the IPF program has been very helpful in my growth in the spiritual life. The eight-day silent retreat has helped me grow in my ways and has deepened my relationship with Christ. I believe I have grown in my identity as a beloved son of the Father while learning more about the resting in that love necessary for a future priest who will become a spiritual father to others.
The program has been filled with important learning moments, as well, such as a discussion of the Rules of Discernment by St. Ignatius of Loyola by expert guide Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV. Through learning the Ignatius Rules of Discernment, I have been able to better recognize the voice of the Lordand the lies of the Devil, too. I am more prepared to be able to fight those moments of temptation and recognize the ways the Devil has tempted me in my life.
I would say one of the biggest blessings for me personally has been meeting seminarians from all over the country who all have the same desire to grow in holiness and serve the Church as priests. Making new friendships and learning about the faith journey of others has been a tremendous outpouring of grace.
In all, the Institute for Priestly Formation summer experience is a wonderful tool in seminary formation. It has helped me grow in the awareness of my vocation and the sacrifice Christ is asking of me to make to his bride, the Church. The many faith-building suggestions I can continue to work on, and grow with, in my upcoming years of seminary formation.
Zaid Chabaan is a first-year graduate seminarian at Sacred Heart. He is studying for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
MOSAIC Editorial Team