Campus
Admission Process
1. The inquirer should submit his application to the appropriate person (Vocation Director of his Diocese for American students, the Rector in Krakow for Polish Students).
2. Once all documentation is received and interviews have been conducted, a decision is made by the appropriate admissions committee.
3. The admission committee makes a recommendation to the Rector
regarding the application.
4. The decision is communicated to the applicant.
5. All documentation is held in strict confidence.
Admissions Requirements
“The purpose of the admissions process is to determine whether candidates
have the requisite qualities to begin the process of formation and preparation
for priestly ordination and ministry.” (PPF #34)
Documentation required in the admissions process (PPF #39, 63 and 64)
1. Completed application form
2. Sacramental Records
3. Autobiography
4. Psychological Assessment
5. Medical Report
6. Academic Transcripts
7. Canonical investigation
8. Criminal background check (if available)
9. Immigration documentation
10. Pastor’s recommendation
11. Recommendation from rector of previous seminary
12. Recommendation from employer (if applicable)
13. Recommendation from Director of Recruitment
14. Admissions Committee Report
Criteria for Admission (PPF #43)
The following criteria serve as guidelines in the assessment process for
admission:
1. Personal History provides a framework for understanding significant
influences on the applicant’s life. It includes: family relationships, home
environment, persons, events, decisions, and the variety of situations in which
the applicant has lived. “Applicants must give evidence of an overall personal
balance, good moral character, love for the truth, and proper motivation.
This includes the requisite human, moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and
psychological qualities for priestly ministry.” (PPF #44)
2. Faith Formation and Discernment. Since priestly vocations are developed and
nurtured in good experiences of the local church and its expressions, the
applicant’s participation in the life of his parish and the larger diocesan church
is important. His knowledge and awareness of the church and education in
faith are foundations upon which he may continue to grow in ecclesial fidelity
and service to the People of God. According to the constant tradition of the
Church, the experience of a personal call to priesthood must be discerned
by the individual and submitted to the discernment of the Church. The
applicant’s desire to serve others does not necessarily mean that he is suitable
for the priestly ministry. He must discern his vocation within the context of
prayer, reflect seriously on the movement of God’s Spirit in his life, and enter
into dialogue with a spiritual advisor. Since vocational choices emerge in the
context of life experience, the applicant’s involvement in service to others in
ecclesial and extra-ecclesial settings is valuable. The applicant should also
have a proper motivation and understanding of the diocesan priesthood. (PPF
#45)
3. Ethnic and Cultural Background. The applicants to SS. Cyril & Methodius
Seminary are primarily from Poland. The Seminary may also accept applicants
from other countries. There should be sensitivity to the acculturation process.
Applicants to the level two of the ESL
program must have a sufficient TOEFL score as determined by the faculty.
Applicants to the Master of Divinity Degree program must demonstrate
a sufficient knowledge of the English Language (listening, speaking, reading
and writing.) A passing score on the TOEFL exam is required. (PPF #49)
4. Academic Background. Applicants to the Master of Divinity Degree program
are required to have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. “Sufficient
education in philosophy, which the Code of Canon Law states as a biennium,
is understood in the United States to be at least 30 semester credit hours,
plus the out-of-classroom work associated with each credit hour traditionally
expected in American higher education. A minimum of 12 semester credit
hours is required in appropriate courses of undergraduate theology. (PPF
#50). The B.A. Equivalency includes all credits earned in the first
two years of seminary study (Philosophy), all credits earned after the first
two years which are not applicable to the theological degree program of the
Seminary, all credits earned in Pre-Theology courses and all courses from
the English as a Second language Program. Credits applied toward the B. A.
Equivalency may not be accepted as graduate transfer credits.
5. Psychological Assessment assists in identifying the applicant’s strengths and
areas of needed growth. It is a tool for evaluating the applicant’s capacity
for perception, cognition, emotional stability, self-esteem, and social/
interpersonal relationships. SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary recognizes the
applicant’s right to privacy and confidentiality. (PPF# 52)
6. Emotional Health. “Special care and scrutiny should be given to those who
manifest dysfunction or come from dysfunctional families. It is possible
for some seminarians to address these issues in the course of a seminary
program through counseling and other means. Their willingness, however, to
confront these and other personal issues should be determined prior to the
decision about admission. If long-term therapeutic work is indicated, this is
best accomplished before the decision is made concerning entrance into the
seminary. At times, the gravity of family or personal issues is such that, if the
candidate has not yet adequately dealt with these issues, entrance into the
seminary program should be denied. (PPF #53)
7. Life Experience. A discussion of the applicant’s life experience should assess
the applicant’s “level of insight or self-knowledge and their willingness to
address important human issues, such as interpersonal abilities, evidence of
sound peer relationships, their manner of dealing with authority, and their
psychosexual development.” (PPF #54)
8. Sexuality plays a central role in defining who one is as a person, both in
relationship to one’s self and in relationship to others. Sexuality involves one’s
self-identity, intimacy with others, self-esteem, and growth in responsibility
toward others. “The applicant should give evidence of having lived in
continence for a sustained period of time, which would be for at least two
years before entering a priestly formation program.” (PPF # 54) “Any evidence
of criminal sexual activity with a minor or an inclination toward such activity
disqualifies the applicant from admission.” (PPF #55) “With regard to the
admission of candidates with same-sex experiences and/or inclinations, the
guidelines provided by the Holy See must be followed.” (PPF #56)
9. Lifestyle is that network of physical environment, relationships, and use
of time, which serve as the context in which one lives. It includes one’s
home, friends, ways of leisure, personal possessions, dress and modes of
transportation. It is a manifestation of an individual’s identity and values
and should be rooted in gospel values. Applicants “should demonstrate an
aptitude for learning principles of good stewardship, avoiding any attitudes
of entitlement.” (PPF #58) Applicants for the priesthood are expected to have
embraced a relatively simple life-style, to be open to a variety of people, to
use resources with wisdom and concern for others, and to appreciate and care
for themselves.
10. Documentation. “The seminary must verify the completion of all
documentation before a candidate is admitted.” (PPF #63)
11. Freedom from Canonical Impediments (PPF #64)
--Sufficient time has passed for a neophyte
--Applicant does not hold a position forbidden to clerics
-- Applicant does not labor under some form of insanity or psychic defect
--Applicant has not committed apostasy, heresy, or schism
--Applicant has not committed homicide or cooperated in an abortion
--Applicant has not mutilated himself or another or attempted suicide
--Applicant has not simulated an act reserved to priests or bishops
”If any of these conditions exist, then prior to admission,
appropriate dispensations or remedies must be obtained.”
12. Physical Health is a significant factor in priestly ministry. The applicant’s
general health and program of health maintenance are good indicators of his
capacity for effective ministry. (PPF #65)
13. Previous Marriage. A previously married candidate needs a declaration of
matrimonial nullity. “Care must be taken to certify the canonical declaration
of nullity by reviewing the Acta (official documentation and evidence for the
canonical decision).” (PPF #66)
14. Recent Converts. “It is advisable that at least two (2) years pass between
their entry into the Catholic Church and their acceptance into the seminary
program.” (PPF #67)