Addressing mental health issues is gaining traction in the Catholic Church around the world—and seminaries are no exception. In this particular U.S. seminary, men meet with a psychologist to address mental and emotional health.
This takes place within the so-called propaedeutic stage—an extra year of formation focused on prayer and personal growth that was approved by Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS
Your time of seminary formation is an opportunity to deepen the spirit of fraternal communion, not only among yourselves. We should recognize that we are part of one great people which has received God's promises as a gift, not as a privilege.
In 2021, Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota became one of the first in North America to add this stage to their curriculum.
FR. JOHN FLOEDER
Director of Propaedeutic Stage, Saint Paul Seminary
What ends up happening is the men, in this short time, the amount of growth and the depth of the growth is just unlike anything I’ve seen in other ways and matters of formation.
Throughout the propaedeutic stage, the men study literature and focus on prayer. They also meet twice a week with a psychologist in what's called “process groups.” There, they learn how to be appropriately vulnerable by opening up about their emotions, past experiences and struggles.
FR. JOHN FLOEDER
Director of Propaedeutic Stage, Saint Paul Seminary
Sometimes that means things like depression, anxiety. Sometimes it’s just simply looking at, “Boy, here was my family experience or here’s some trauma I’ve had in the past and here’s how it’s affecting me now.” Or, here’s a struggle I might be having that I don’t know what to do with, so I want to bring it to this group for help and support.
The Director says the process groups are vital in leading the men towards both greater self knowledge and real, authentic freedom.
But the process groups aren't the only aspect of the propaedeutic stage that can be life-changing. The men also make a digital fast all throughout the year. They are not allowed to use any media, phones or screens outside of an allotted time on Saturdays.
FR. JOHN FLOEDER
Director of Propaedeutic Stage, Saint Paul Seminary
One of the biggest benefits of our media fast, our tech fast, is it forces men to come to grips with the negative that they’ve been trying to cope with life. That they’ve been numbing or avoiding. And so it forces them to notice their feelings.
Through the digital fast, process groups and an extra emphasis on prayer and study, the Director says the propaedeutic stage equips the men with the tools needed to successfully approach not only the remainder of their seminary formation but also the rest of their lives.
AT
