The theology program at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary meets all of the requirements for priestly formation specified by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States. The program of studies integrates various strands of theology to form seminarians in the wisdom of the Church. These strands include Scripture, Languages, Dogmatics, Liturgy, Church History, Pastoral Studies, and Canon Law. During the program of academic formation at the seminary, each student is enrolled in a graduate level program that enables him to earn both a Sacred Theology Baccalaureate Degree (S.T.B.) and a Master of Divinity Degree (M. Div.) prior to ordination. The sequencing of courses within the theology curriculum allows requirements for both degrees to be completed within eight regular semesters and two summer parish internships. The academic strands within the graduate level curriculum are described below.

Program Emphases

Scripture

The Second Vatican Council declared that, "the 'study of the sacred page' should be the very soul of theology." (See Dei Verbum, 24 and Sapientia Christiana (SC) Art 67.1). In response to that call, we have instituted a strand in the curriculum that begins with an introductory course and runs throughout the eight semesters of theology. This strand is intended to lead the students through a systematic study of the Scriptures which exposes them to current historical-critical investigations, but which is primarily concerned with the traditional way in which the Church has read the Bible in her contemplation and liturgy. To aid in the study of Scripture, the curriculum includes courses in New Testament Greek.

Ressourcement

Ressourcement is the pursuit of a spiritual and intellectual communion with the most vital moments of Christianity as transmitted to us in its classic texts for the purpose of responding to the critical questions of our time (aggiornamento). The faculty of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary embrace ressourcement in their programs of study under the belief that to more truly meet the challenges of our time, we must first return to the sources of Christian faith, with a rediscovery of the riches of the whole of the Church's two-thousand-year tradition.

The fundamental sources of theology are Scripture and Tradition as expressed by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church and as manifested in the Church's liturgy. These sources are the object of study for both the positive and systematic divisions of theology under the authoritative guidance of the Church's magisterium. The Scripture, liturgies, and magisterial documents of the Church are therefore the fundamental sources for theological study at the seminary. In line with the emphasis on Sacred Scripture, the curriculum offers courses that have constant recourse to the saints, doctors and great thinkers of the Eastern and Western Churches throughout their history.

Theological Sciences

Theological courses are offered in dogma, morals, and Church history; sacraments and liturgy; pastoral theology. With Scripture as its foundation, theology incorporates Tradition through its commitment to ressourcement. By addressing contemporary authors, a strong emphasis is also given to the integration of ressourcement and aggiornamento in theology. This is done in accord with the pastoral guidance of the magisterium. In this way—through these three strands—the indivisible components of Scripture, Tradition and magisterium work together to form the minds and hearts of seminary students.

Homiletics

Communication of the Christian message to the faithful occurs predominantly through homilies. In recognition of the importance of the homily in ministerial practice for conveying the message of the Gospel, a sequence of courses provides the opportunity for each seminarian to develop skills in public speaking throughout his seminary career. This strand of courses begins in the philosophy cycle with Philosophical Methods and Logic, followed by Rhetoric. In the theology cycle, the strand continues with Liturgical Practica. The Lector courses focus on public speaking and organization of thoughts, followed by reading and proclaiming the Word of God. The practicum courses of Acolyte and Deacon accent the ministerial presence. Two courses in Homiletics pair the formal presentations of homilies with the integration of the Gospel in the proclaimed message. Finally, during the diaconate year, each student has the opportunity to present homilies, to receive critique, and to grow in skill in this fundamental dimension of priestly ministry.

Apostolic Ministry

The Apostolate is an integral part of the formation of each seminarian throughout his seminary career. During each academic year the seminarian is engaged in a continuing ministry within schools, parishes, nursing homes, outreach organizations, and hospitals in which he has the opportunity to grow in pastoral effectiveness. During and after each experience he receives valuable critique to strengthen the quality of his ministerial presence and skills. The ability to integrate personal faith, academic knowledge, and service to the Church in a balanced, holistic and meaningful manner is an ongoing challenge that is made practical through involvement in ministry. Apostolic service occurs weekly and requires a three to four hour time commitment. In addition, summer pastoral assignments provide seminarians with the opportunity to combine theology with direct pastoral experience in parishes. In their summer assignments, seminarians work with pastors of the Archdiocese of Denver, or pastors in their home diocese, who serve as mentors to the seminarians and provide sound pastoral experience. Each seminarian is responsible to the Director of Pastoral Formation for this ministry and a formal evaluation is completed each year.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the graduate program in theology must meet the following entrance requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an approved college or university;
• Complete a pre-theologate program with at least 30 semester units of courses in philosophy earned at an institution approved by the Academic Dean or the Rector of the Seminary;
• Complete 12 credits in pre-theology courses including liturgy, Introduction to Theology, and Introduction to Scripture;
• Demonstrate proficiency in Latin and Hebrew by completing 9 credits in Latin and 3 credits in Hebrew;
• Demonstrate graduate level proficiency in English Language skills in accordance with the policies of the Seminary (see Academic Practices and Policies);
• Be sponsored by a diocese or religious community, with permission of the Rector.

The Baccalaureate Degree in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)

The Baccalaureate Degree in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) is a Pontifical Degree offered in affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. The curriculum is modeled after the Lateran program for priestly formation. The requirements and normal course sequencing for the S.T.B. are outlined below.

Degree Requirements

• Candidates must successfully complete a total of 109 semester hours to qualify for the Pontifical Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology.
• A candidate for the degree must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all graduate courses taken at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
• Normally, a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all required coursework must be completed at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
• A comprehensive oral examination and a written thesis are required.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

Each candidate must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive oral examination based on three themes selected by lot from the following areas of theology: Fundamental/Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, and Scriptures. The oral examination is not less than thirty minutes or more than sixty minutes in length. The examination board for the oral exam consists of six individuals: (1) the Academic Dean; (2) a professor of Dogmatic or Fundamental Theology; (3) a professor of Moral Theology; (4) a professor of Scriptures; (5) the thesis director; and (6) a representative of the theological faculty of the Pontifical Lateran University who presides over the examination board. The final evaluation for the S.T.B. degree is based on the student's earned grade point average, the score on the oral examination, and the score on the written thesis.

Written Thesis

Under the guidance of a thesis director of his choice, the seminarian prepares a written thesis, based on research approved by the thesis director. He is required to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter and the ability to relate the thesis topic synthetically to other branches of theology. A public presentation of the thesis is required. The thesis must conform to length requirements approved by the Lateran. The style of the thesis must conform to the Chicago Manual of Style, which can be found in the most recent edition of the following manual: Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press). An approved copy of the thesis must be delivered to the faculty of the Lateran 30 days prior to the scheduled oral examination.

Course Requirements for the S.T.B. Degree

The Master of Divinity Degree (M. Div.)

The Master of Divinity degree at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary integrates the tradition of sacred theological learning with practical training in pastoral leadership. The primary aim of the M. Div. degree is to develop candidates who are capable of effective pastoral work.

Intellectual and Pastoral Formation for the Master of Divinity Degree

Academically, the program is designed to form the following attributes in seminarians:

• A love of Christian Tradition, particularly as expressed in sacred Scripture;
• A conversion of mind and heart that will lead to a lifelong pursuit of intellectual knowledge that will enrich ministry;
• A basic grounding in biblical, historical, dogmatic, and moral theology as well as the ability to communicate that knowledge in speech and in writing;
• The ability to integrate contemporary theological issues with the Tradition of the Catholic Church and the understanding necessary for evaluating the strengths and limitations of various theological viewpoints.

Pastorally, the program is designed to form the following capabilities in seminarians:

• A strong sense of ministry, deeply rooted in a mature spiritual life of prayer;
• The ability to integrate personal faith and the study of theology within the context of pastoral ministry;
• The ability to promote and foster the spiritual life of the Christian community;
• The ability to preach the Word in a way that integrates theological insight, an awareness of contemporary issues, and a mature sense of Christian community;
• The ability to work collaboratively with clergy and laity in team ministry;
• The ability to plan, organize and lead communities in celebrations of prayer and liturgy.

Requirements for the Master of Divinity Degree

A candidate for the Master of Divinity degree must successfully complete a total of one hundred and two (102)* semester credit hours and meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all courses taken at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
• Normally, a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all required coursework must be completed at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
• Each candidate must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Course Requirements for the Master of Divinity Degree

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