Philosophy of the College
St. John Neumann Seminary College, the college and pre-theology formation program for the Archdiocese of New York, follows the direction set by Pope John Paul II in "Pastores Dabo Vobis" and the directives of the Catholic Bishops in the United States in 1994 Program of Priestly Formation. The current academic program has developed in response to the mandate of the Cardinal Archbishop John O'Connor: "Every student of theology" should be "firmly rooted in scholastic philosophy" and have "familiarity with modern philosophies, their history as well as the history of our Church."
St. John Neumann Seminary College is a college and post-college residency program, distinguished for its flexibility. It strives to meet the individual spiritual, academic, and personal developmental needs of both the young and more mature candidate who is seriously considering a vocation to the priesthood. The heart of the Neumann Program is integrative personal growth in the midst of a community life of prayer and study. The interaction of both the college and post-college student in the classroom, at the dining room table, at recreation, and in sharing the day-to-day responsibilities of communal living are key components of the formation process.
The post-college student who comes to the Residence brings a certain maturity which is beneficial to community life. The Residence gives him a structured prayer life, program of studies, and an experience of seminary life that assist him in discernment. The college student is offered the same opportunity of formation and discernment among his peers as he lives in community with the post-college candidates. His undergraduate studies at the college of his choice involves him in a community of men and women that he aspires to serve as a priest. While he is challenged by regular exposure to the secular campus, he also returns to the Residence to be encouraged and supported by the seminary community.
