Preparing to Shepherd

The call to priesthood is a call to love—one that requires deep intimacy with Christ. As Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”, so too must every seminarian respond with a love that overflows into service. Formation is not merely an academic pursuit but a journey of transformation, shaping future shepherds in the human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral dimensions of their vocation.

A true shepherd must embody Christ’s love, developing a heart that beats with compassion for the people he will serve. This means becoming a man of prayer, a disciple among the flock, and a missionary of mercy. Seminary formation is not just preparation—it is a lifelong commitment to ongoing conversion and deeper configuration to Christ. Only by embracing this path can priests truly guide the faithful, bringing them closer to the Good Shepherd who first loved us.