I. Introduction

1)       This Rule of Life for Notre Dame Seminary is meant to help us, men being prepared for the ministerial priesthood, to live a life consistent with the precious commitment we are making.  It corresponds to what an integrated and balanced program of priestly formation should be, as guided and directed by the Holy See and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  This rule is meant to help us follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ and deepen our understanding of this time of formation.

2)       We are disciples of Jesus Christ preparing to dedicate our lives to public ministry and preaching in the Roman Catholic Church, striving to attain:

“A spirit of wisdom and understanding,

A spirit of counsel and of strength,

A spirit of knowledge and of piety,

And our delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”

[Isaiah 11:2-3]

3)       Guided by the Holy Spirit, we will dedicate ourselves to developing personal maturity as human beings through growth in the virtuous life, which will help us to have a capacity for self-evaluation based on self-respect and self-care.  We commit ourselves to develop professional collegiality, healthy intimate friendships, and the skills to foster these.

4)       Again guided by the Spirit, we will develop the habit of the theological virtues through vibrant participation in personal and communal prayer centered in the Eucharist and sacramental practice, the ability to guide others in spiritual experiences, and the spiritual maturity to give authentic Christian witness by our own lifestyle.

5)       Guided by the Word of God, we will study philosophy and Sacred Theology, seeking a comprehensive grasp of the fundamental concepts, their implications and applications, the ability to integrate and synthesize these concepts, and the capability of articulating the tradition with clarity and coherence.

6)       With the compassionate heart of the Father, we will demonstrate responsiveness to the concerns and crises of the individuals and the communities we serve by pastorally appreciating their personal and cultural differences, using prudential judgment and discernment, and manifesting pastoral skills in a spirit of authenticity, collaboration, and compassion.

7)       In order to accomplish these goals, we will abide by the rules set forth below that we intend to live with the help of God.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity, life is your primordial gift to me.  Through baptism into the Catholic faith, you have shown me your love and predilection.  You invite me to share the gift of my life in service to the Church and to others.  Be with me daily as I show your presence in our world and strive to live this Rule of Life.  Give me courage, generosity, and love to respond to your call.  I ask you this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, ever to be praised and adored, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.  Amen.

1)       A seminarian, cooperating with God’s grace, is the person primarily responsible for his formation.  He fulfills this role under the guidance of the rector and the seminary faculty in accordance with this rule of life.

2)       In his first year of formation, a seminarian will develop his own personalized expression of the Seminary’s “rule of life” that will help him integrate his formation and create a balance in prayer, study, work, exercise, recreation, rest, and time for community. Each year this personal rule of life will be reevaluated by the seminarian and shared with his spiritual director, and changes will be made as needed.

3)       A seminarian commits to interiorizing and assimilating the four pillars of formation and to growing in self-knowledge, self-discipline, the virtuous life, and the ability to relate to others.

4)       A seminarian commits to understanding, practicing, and integrating the counsels of chaste “celibacy for the sake of the kingdom,” simplicity of life and obedience.

5)       A seminarian commits to cultivating holy, healthy, and appropriate relationships, establishing appropriate personal and social boundaries, and demonstrating affective maturity and the capacity to lead a life of chaste celibacy.

6)       A seminarian commits to attending required functions and accounting for missing them. He commits to addressing formation failures with the appropriate authorities and to responding openly to formators.

1)      A seminarian commits to attending Mass every day.

2)      A seminarian commits to praying the Liturgy of the Hours daily and to making progress in this “prayer for the Church” as he moves forward in formation.  Upon entering seminary, he commits to praying at least morning and evening prayer daily; he also commits to praying these with the seminary community whenever the community gathers for morning or evening prayer.  The seminarian commits to praying the five prescribed “hours” of the Liturgy of the Hours each day by the end of Second Theology.

3)      Upon entering seminary, a seminarian commits to at least thirty minutes of personal prayer daily and to making progress in personal prayer as he moves forward in formation.  After two years in seminary, he commits to at least one hour of personal prayer daily.  A seminarian’s personal prayer includes time for quiet reflection and time for meditation on the scriptures.  He also is committed to the devotional prayer of the Church, including Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary.

4)      A seminarian commits to at least three hours of spiritual reading each week over and above assigned readings for class.

5)      A seminarian commits to regular spiritual direction and to receiving the sacrament of reconciliation at least once a month.  In the first two months of spiritual direction with a new spiritual director, the seminarian commits to meeting with his director every two weeks.  Subsequently, he commits to meeting with his director at least once a month, but preferably every three weeks.

6)      A seminarian commits to ongoing fasting or self-denial and works of mercy as a way of growing spiritually and making progress in the counsels of obedience, celibate chastity, and simplicity of life.

7)      A seminarian commits to making a yearly retreat and to attending all spiritual conferences and days of reflection and recollection offered by the seminary.

1)      In order to inculcate a spirit of studiousness, a seminarian commits to studying at least three hours every day.

2)      In order to foster a love for truth, a seminarian commits to reading at least one chapter from a scholarly book or one scholarly article every week in addition to any other required reading assignments.

3)      A seminarian commits to reading resources which emphasize a Catholic point of view on current issues and cultural topics in the areas of politics, the arts, science, and other fields of study. 

4)      A seminarian commits to becoming conversant with the classics of Catholic theology and to reading such authors as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and other recognized doctors of the Church.

5)      A seminarian will assimilate what he has learned so as to try to become an eloquent communicator of the Catholic faith.  He will seek out conversations about substantial matters so as develop the facility of clear and cogent argumentation.

6)      A seminarian will strive to read doctrinal and disciplinary documents from the Holy Father, and from Curial and Episcopal authorities.

7)      A seminarian will look for opportunities to witness to and teach about the Catholic faith.

1)       Upon beginning formation, a seminarian commits to service and charity within the seminary community and to recognizing the pastoral nature of all aspects of seminary life and formation.  As formation continues, he commits to broadening his pastoral focus to include the external community.

2)       A seminarian commits to taking personal responsibility for his liturgical training and development.  He will work to integrate into his formation the growing responsibilities that come from being instituted to the ministries of reader and acolyte, admitted to candidacy for Holy Orders, and ordained to the diaconate.  By Third Theology, a seminarian is to be prepared for a leadership role in Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary and other devotional prayers.

3)       Throughout his pastoral training and field work, a seminarian commits to striving to become more like Jesus, the “True Shepherd,” who teaches, sanctifies, governs, and leads. 

4)       Throughout his pastoral training and field work, a seminarian commits to growing in understanding the sacramental dimension of priesthood, developing the heart of a missionary, developing effective public ministry skills and cultural sensitivity skills, and learning how to work with the ecumenical and interfaith communities.