INTELLECTUAL FORMATION

A strong spiritual life built on Christian values can only aid the confident and free pursuit of intellectual activity; it supplies the defensible framework of values which underlies all Western Civilization, making it a unit. The Catholic priest must have a positive and dynamic interest in on-going intellectual growth, both his own and that of his people. Students, to lay a proper foundation for priestly work, must develop their God-given talents through worthwhile reading and creative and critical thinking, beyond a mere competence in class work. Insights and knowledge gained through their own wide-ranging efforts and freely shared with the peers of their community will further cultivate a spirit of service in the seminarian.