Catalog 2012-2013

Table of Contents

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ...... 2 Description of the Seal ...... 2 Seminary Vision Prayer ...... 3 Our Mission ...... 3 History...... 4 PRIESTLY FORMATION ...... 5 Forming Tomorrow’s Priests ...... 5 Human Formation ...... 5 Spiritual Formation ...... 6 Pastoral Formation ...... 7 Intellectual Formation ...... 7 PROGRAMS...... 9 Spirituality Year ...... 9 Degree Programs ...... 11 The Pre-Theology Program ...... 12 The Theology Program ...... 15 ACADEMIC POLICIES ...... 22 Admission ...... 22 Registration ...... 24 Program Requirements...... 26 Grading System ...... 28 Financial ...... 31 PERSONNEL ...... 33 Board of Trustees ...... 33 Faculty and Staff ...... 35

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Description of the Seal

The shield, in blue, black and white, is divided into three fields representing the Holy Trinity. The black tau cross that divides the shield is called the Cross of Prophecy or the Advent Cross. This is an ancient symbol for the renewal of the Church and personal conversion. The Tau Cross also reminds us that the way of the disciple requires a daily shouldering of the Cross of Christ.

The top field is an expression of gratitude for St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary on whose patrimony our seminary stands today. The seal of that seminary included an open book to symbolize the Scriptures on which was written the word evangelizare, meaning “to evangelize.” To this we have added noviter, Latin for “anew” to indicate the new evangelization called for by Blessed Pope John Paul II, after whom the grounds of the seminary are named.

The bottom left field features the fleur-de-lis, the stylized lily representing Our Lady and her purity, particularly in the mystery of the Annunciation of the Word made Flesh. The Archangel Gabriel, the messenger of the advent of the Savior, is often pictured holding a lily at the Annunciation. The fleur-de-lis is also a symbol of France and so also indicates our patron, Saint John Marie Vianney. The background of the fleur is blue, the color of Our Lady, to whose intercession the work of the seminary in entrusted.

The bottom right field holds another flower, the columbine, whose name comes from the Latin columba, meaning dove. The columbine thus calls to mind the Holy Spirit who is the principal agent of priestly formation. The Christ Child in the Archdiocese of Denver’s Icon of Our Lady of the New Advent bears this same flower - also the state flower of Colorado - as an emblem of his tender concern for the Church in Northern Colorado.

Below the shield, the banner bears Our Lady’s fiat, her response to Gabriel’s announcement of her place in the saving plan of God. The words of Mary suggest a new announcement of the Gospel in our day and express the obedience in faith that each member of the seminary community strives to imitate, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38.

The circle enclosing the shield and banner contains the name of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary, and this seal is used by all divisions of the seminary: the Division for Priestly Formation, the St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons, and the Denver Catholic Biblical and Catechetical Schools.

Seminary Vision Prayer

Through Him, with Him, in Him, in brotherhood we strive to be discipled by Jesus in all things and to embrace joyfully His Cross, to be ordained and sent as priests for the New Evangelization, inspired by the zeal of Saint John Vianney. Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us!

Our Mission

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary’s mission is to form priests after the mind and heart of Jesus Christ and His Church, under the patronage of the Curé d’Ars. This is achieved through an integrated and personal program of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation.

Human Formation, the foundation of our seminary program, encourages a man’s physical and psychological health and that relational maturity necessary for celibate, priestly ministry. In this way, it forms a man who is “balanced… strong and free, capable of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities” (Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM cap., “As Christ Loved the Church,” 13).

Spiritual Formation leads each man through a deeper conversion of heart to embrace Jesus Christ in friendship, to rely upon Him, and to follow Him in all things. This formation usually begins with a Spirituality Year, which initiates the seminarian into a purifying self- knowledge, the spirituality of the diocesan priest, and fraternal communion. His subsequent development, guided by spiritual direction, leads him to a more profound love for Christ and His People. This growth in charity is rooted in lectio divina and personal prayer, Mass and Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration, regular confession, and filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Intellectual Formation cultivates the mind to seek an ever deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries. Progressing through an integrated and sequenced curriculum, the seminarian acquires the languages necessary for his work, appropriates the philosophical and theological patrimony of the Church, and applies her teachings to contemporary culture. Through study, the future priest develops an intelligence of the heart by which he assents to the Word of God, grows in his spiritual life, and prepares himself for pastoral ministry.

Pastoral Formation integrates the study of pastoral theology with actual liturgical and apostolic experience. This integration occurs through theological reflection and inspires the Church’s future priest to participate more deeply in the pastoral charity of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.

Under the direction of the Archbishop of Denver, the seminary community, by its prayer, preaching, teaching, example, and personal concern, helps each seminarian to develop a full humanity, to become a person with an orthodox faith, ready to be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ.

History

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary was officially constituted on March 17, 1999 and inaugurated on the Feast of the Birth of Mary, September 8, of that same year. Since then, the Seminary has been dedicated to forming priests for the new millennium and offering programs of formation for permanent deacons and the lay faithful.

The groundwork of the enterprise was laid by Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, then the Archbishop of Denver, who purchased the site of the former St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary from the Congregation of the Mission in 1995. The facility, which included the Archbishop Vehr Library, had served as the focus for priestly formation for the dioceses and religious orders of the region since 1907. The facility was remodeled and re-named the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization to serve as a campus for the Archdiocesan Chancery. There was also a vision that the campus would become a resource for priestly formation and the renewal of the Church.

Cardinal Stafford’s successor, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., advanced this vision by commissioning a study to determine the feasibility of establishing an educational institution on the site. After much consultation with the priests and people of the archdiocese, Archbishop Chaput announced his plan to open a theological institute to serve the formation needs of clergy and laity engaged in the new evangelization.

These plans resulted in what has become St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, a free- standing diocesan seminary with a Spirituality Year, Pre-Theologate and Theologate for priestly formation. Currently accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and enjoying association with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and Regis University in Denver, this seminary currently serves the Archdiocese of Denver and 16 other dioceses throughout the Heartland and Rocky Mountain West. The seminary community includes 44 seminarians from 13 different countries, making up 40% of the (110) students who were enrolled in 2011-2012.

PRIESTLY FORMATION

As Christ Loved the Church, a pastoral letter by our founding Archbishop, Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., serves as the blueprint for priestly formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. The beginning of his letter, below, reflects on the long tradition of identifying four crucial pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. Our seminary is committed to each of these. The description of each pillar which follows is excerpted from Archbishop Chaput's pastoral letter.

Forming Tomorrow’s Priests

The great Eastern Father, Gregory Nazianzus, wrote, “We must begin by purifying ourselves; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to illuminate, draw close to God to bring him close to others, be sanctified to sanctify, led by the hand and counsel prudently.” John Paul II has echoed Nazianzus’ insight in his conceptual division of priestly formation into four main areas of focus in Chapter 5 of Pastores Dabo Vobis..

Human Formation

“Purifying ourselves before purifying others.”

Every priest is called to be the “living image” of Jesus, and therefore “should seek to reflect in himself, as far as possible, the human perfection which shines forth in the incarnate Son of God. The priest should mold his human personality in such a way that it becomes a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 43).

The human perfection of Christ does not make Him less fully human, but precisely more so. He is what God wills all of us to become. The priest becomes more human, not less, by striving for the full human maturity which shows itself in the natural virtues. Thus, the Holy Father writes, “Future priests should therefore cultivate a series of human qualities, not only out of proper and due growth and realization of one’s self, but also with a view to the ministry. These qualities are needed for them to be balanced people, strong and free, capable of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities. They need to be educated to love the truth, to be loyal, to respect every person, to have a sense of justice, to be true to their word, to be genuinely compassionate, to be men of integrity and, especially, to be balanced in judgment and behavior”(PDV, 43).

For the celibate priest, the “nuptial meaning of the body” is expressed by reserving physical sexual expression in the same way that Jesus did. Just as Christ offered Himself on the cross as a consummation of the marriage between Himself and the Church, it is by making of their bodies a spiritual sacrifice (Rm. 12:1) that priests wed themselves to the Bride of Christ. “The Church, as the spouse of Jesus Christ, wishes to be loved by the priest in the total and exclusive manner in which Jesus Christ her head and spouse loved her” (PDV, 29).

While grace can overcome any weakness, seminarians should strive for an understanding of self which neither discounts the importance of their God-given sexuality nor naively underestimates the demands of a celibate life. In a very real way, the seminary is a period of prenuptial preparation in which a man seeks, by the grace of God, to make himself the sort of man the Church wants and needs as her spouse.

Just as marriage requires free and willing consent, the gift of celibacy can only be received if it is freely and willingly embraced by the priest. Unfortunately, some people in recent decades have resented it, hoped it will be changed, or internalized it in a purely legalistic way. Yet without consent to the bride, the priestly life will never be as fruitful as it can be. This consent to the Church is expressed and consummated in each priest’s loving and generous availability to God’s people. As the Catechism so beautifully states, “Accepted with a joyous heart, celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God” (CCC, 1579).

Spiritual Formation

“Be sanctified to sanctify.”

A proper human formation leads to an openness to the possibility of sanctity. That possibility is realized through intimacy with God in the Trinity.

As the Holy Father teaches, Christ is the key to entry into that divine communion of love. “Those who take on the likeness of Christ the Priest by sacred ordination should form the habit of drawing close to him as friend in every detail of His life”(PDV, 45). Without daily prayer, a priest cannot meet the responsibilities of his vocation. This is true for Christians in every vocation - but how much more so for the priest, who must serve as a kind of scout, guide and agent of hope for those who choose to tread the spiritual path cut by Christ, the pioneer and perfector of our faith (Heb 12:2).

The obligations of the priestly state include daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, with and for the whole Church. Priests should, above all, seek to offer the Eucharist daily, since it is “[from] this unique sacrifice their whole priestly ministry draws its strength” (CCC, 1566). A regular recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is also a requisite to any advancement in the spiritual life.

Seminarians should never think of these anchors of the priestly life as burdens from which one might need a break or respite. They are not just things that a priest does, but integral to whom the priest is. The priest cannot be just a man who prays; he must be a man of prayer, a man transformed by constant prayer. The life of prayer must also include daily reading of and reflection on the Sacred Scriptures, the Word of God. Without a deep familiarity with the “plan of the mystery” revealed in Christ (Eph. 3:9), a priest cannot disclose that mystery to others.

Of course, celebration of the Eucharist, recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours and the reading of Sacred Scripture form the solid foundation for meditative prayer. This, too, needs to be a daily part of the life of a priest. Many use the rosary as a springboard for deeper meditation. This staple of Catholic piety deserves a primary place in the daily regimen of priests.

A few words should also be said about what used to be called “mortification.” Fasting and other forms of self-discipline are essentially a form of practice in self-giving. If we are constantly allowing ourselves the many luxuries which the modern world places before us, we will not be ready to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of those we ought to love: God and neighbor. Little, quiet gifts of self to God in the form of small sacrifices go a very long way toward reorienting us away from an addictive concern with the consumption of things toward a loving availability to God and neighbor.

Prayer and fasting, along with constant dedication to the service of God’s people, teach priests to draw close to Christ as a friend in every detail of their lives.

Pastoral Formation

“Draw close to God to bring Him close to others. Lead by the hand and counsel prudently.”

As John Paul II writes, “The whole training of [seminary] students should have as its object to make them shepherds of souls after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, teacher, priest and shepherd” (PDV, 57, quoting the Second Vatican Council’s Optatam Totius, 4). The formation of the candidate for ordination must aim at inculcating a pastoral charity that will enable the priest to be the “living image of Christ” he is called to be. To image Christ—the Good Shepherd and Spouse of the Church—the seminarian’s formation must have a specifically pastoral orientation. It is not enough that one be emotionally, spiritually and intellectually mature. All these attributes have to be placed at the service of others in the priesthood.

Thus, add-on “ministry” courses are not enough in the pastoral formation of young men for the priesthood. Pastoral formation requires that the seminarian be able to integrate what he has learned through study with what he has learned by experience. Every moment of the process of growth in the seminary should make reference to the pastoral setting. In addition to specific classes in areas such as pastoral counseling, parish management and homiletics, we will rely heavily on our pastors and people in this process of introducing and preparing men for work in parochial ministry. It is the seminary’s sincere hope that summer placement with the pastors of the Archdiocese of Denver and with the people in the parishes of northern Colorado will be real occasions for growth for our seminarians. In these places, above all, they will learn how to love the Bride of Christ as she needs to be loved: as Christ Himself loves her.

Intellectual Formation

“We must be instructed to be able to instruct become light to illuminate.”

One of the greatest challenges faced in opening any new seminary is the design of a sufficiently strong academic program. The Church supplies specific guidelines for seminary studies. These stress that intellectual formation is not a thing apart from human, spiritual, or pastoral formation. The desire to know is, after all, a central part of being human. Seminary study aims at an ever deeper understanding of the mysteries expressed in the spiritual life; and it prepares the

seminarian to offer the pastoral guidance to those who need to find in those same mysteries the meaning of their joys and sorrows.

Like good stewards of the Kingdom, we intend to draw out both the old and the new to present to our seminarians. They will be exposed to the masters of intellectual history in the areas of philosophy and theology as well as practical pastoral training that will result in the “unified, internally coherent curriculum” that the Church calls for in seminaries (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Program of Priestly Formation, 351). Of course, that must include an approach to theology which is “comprehensive and extensive, covering the range of Christian doctrine” (PPF, 339). And, in keeping with the declaration of the Second Vatican Council that “the ‘study of the sacred page’ should be the very soul of theology” (Dei Verbum, 24 and cf. Sapientia Christiana, Art 67.1), we seek to make the Scriptures the very foundation of the curriculum.

The components of seminary life include classes, liturgies, service in parishes and service to the poor, as well as time set aside for personal prayer. It is vital that all these elements contribute to a unified vision of the gospel message in all its beauty. By this means “a purely abstract approach to knowledge is overcome in favor of that intelligence of heart which knows how to ‘look beyond’, and then is in a position to communicate the mystery of God to the people” (PDV, 51).

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The Lateran Model and the Program of Priestly Formation

The aim of the seminary curriculum is to provide a firm academic foundation for the pastoral work of future priests. It is our belief that a rigorous content, and the intellectual skills developed in the acquisition of that content, contributes to the spiritual and pastoral formation of seminarians. (PPF, 337 and 347.)

Using the curriculum of the Pontifical Lateran University as a model, the faculty of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary has worked diligently to ensure each seminarian receives the highest quality of instruction and training in preparation for priestly ordination. Since the academic program was approved by Rome in 1999, the faculty and administration of the seminary have engaged in a continuous process of assessment to improve the effectiveness of its program of priestly formation, the content of our courses, the integration of subject matter within and among courses, the sequence of courses within the curricula, and the tempo of learning required for intellectual formation.

Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary is dedicated to the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of its academic programs. The Seminary is committed to offering a solid formation program for the preparation of young men to serve as Catholic priests in the dioceses of the mountain and great plains regions, as well as other parts of the country and world. In the past five years, the Seminary has increased enrollment by more than 40% and a total of 58 men have earned the

Master of Divinity Degree. Every graduate (100%) of St. John Vianney Seminary has been placed in a parish immediately after graduation and ordination.

PROGRAMS

The fundamental aim of the programs offered by St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is to cultivate the “intelligence of heart” called for by Pope John Paul II and affirmed by former Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.. To this end, before each seminarian undertakes the pre-theology and theology academic programs, a spirituality year offers non- academic formation: a program of prayer, spiritual formation, reading, community, and service directed to personal appropriation of the faith. This “novitiate for the diocesan priesthood” provides a personal foundation for the subsequent disciplined study of truth offered in the academic programs of study. Hearts inclined to the Word-made-flesh allow Him, who is the source of priestly formation, to more fruitfully reveal Himself in all areas of study and formation.

Accordingly, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary offers three programs:

 a non-academic program centered on the deepening of spiritual life, the spirituality year;  a pre-theology academic program of undergraduate study in philosophy; and  an academic program of graduate level study in theology.

The pre-theology program of studies provides standard requirements for entry into the theology program as well as options to pursue the ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Philosophy (B. Phil.) and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in philosophy. The program of studies in theology offers two degree programs, the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) and the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), that provide the academic course requirements for priestly ordination.

Spirituality Year

“To provide a more solid foundation for the students’ spiritual formation, and enable them to decide upon their vocation with full deliberation, it will rest with bishops to set apart a suitable interval of time for a more intensive spiritual preparation” (Optatam Totius, 12).

Our formation program includes an initial or propaedeutic year called the Spirituality Year, in which seminarians are given an introduction to the life of priestly ministry through intensive spiritual formation. This includes formation in prayer, knowledge of the heart, and the cultivation of authentic self-knowledge and virtue. In addition to liturgical and private prayer, retreats, apostolic activity, and immersion time with the poor, each seminarian in the Spirituality Year receives instruction in the Christian life by reading and praying through the entire Scriptures, the major documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and some of the great Catholic spiritual classics.

In this non-academic setting, a profound community life is fostered. A distance from ‘popular culture’ is maintained to foster a true engagement of culture and life. The primacy of being is re- established over the primacy of doing, usually with great interior healing effects. A contemplative foundation is established for future studies and active ministry. While tools of discernment of spirits are learned, this is a year that presumes that a man is going forward to the ministerial priesthood, and so it is not primarily a “discernment year” in the common use of that term.

Reading Sacred Scripture by Lectio Divina The aim of this year-long track is to undertake a first comprehensive reading of the canonical Scriptures. The manner of reading is lectio divina, i.e., a meditational reading in the same Spirit that inspired the writing of the text. A minimum of scholarly apparatus is employed in this first literary and spiritual reading. Conducted in a tutorial style, the governing principles in all discussions of the text are the tradition and magisterium of the Church, the analogy of faith, and the interpretive voice of the Scriptures themselves. A thorough study of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum of the Second Vatican Council, is also initiated in the fall semester.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Parts I-III This year-long reading goes carefully through the first three pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an introduction to the dogmatic teaching of the Church. Instructors teach the history and significance of the Catechism and so its transformative power is much more profoundly experienced.

Spiritual Life: CCC Part IV and Great Spiritual Works To aid growth in prayer, this set of readings and classes introduces the basic principles of Spiritual Theology as found in the Catechism, Part IV, as well as in a sampling of the great works of art and literature from Catholic history. The course aims at exposing students to the dynamism of contemplation, and proposes contemplation of the Trinity and the mystery of Christ as indispensable elements for fruitfulness in ministry and growth in spiritual maturity. This course then surveys primarily classical, but also contemporary works on the spiritual life and applies them to priestly spirituality. The course also offers discussion of different kinds of prayer and spiritual movements found in the Church today.

Priestly Life and Major Documents of Vatican II The introduction to the life of priestly service in the Church focuses on the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis by John Paul II. This synthetic work covers all aspects of vocational, seminary, and priestly life. The first semester also includes an introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours, its structure, development, and spirituality. An intensive seminar on the Theology of the Body rounds out the first semester. The second semester includes the history and contents of the Second Vatican Council Constitutions Sacrosanctum Concilium, Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes.

Sacred Music In Introduction to Sacred Music, the men explore fundamentals of music, vocal technique, and introduction to liturgical music, for a semester. Students learn the essentials of music theory as well as their practical application for the seminary’s customs and repertoire, ranging from chant to contemporary music.

The Immersion Experience Four weeks of the year are devoted to a special apostolic experience in which Spirituality Year men go to various out-of-state locations to live with and serve the poor. The purpose of this “immersion experience” is to form the men in deeply generous service, especially by radically simplifying their lives and helping them find Christ “in his most distressing guise.” This experience of the Church’s mission aims at fostering an incarnational prayer life and provides another kind of opportunity for a deeper understanding of the priestly vocation.

The Thirty Day Ignatian Retreat There are three retreats in the year, the last of which is the full 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This last retreat is the capstone of the year and offers to the men the remarkable opportunity for a deep, transforming experience of Jesus Christ. Those who undertake the long retreat normally gain remarkable clarity about the profoundly particular way each person is loved and called by our heavenly Father. Often the experience significantly deepens the ability to discern God’s true presence in life and ministry. It is the most transformative part of the year, and an enormous grace for the men.

Degree Programs

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary offers undergraduate and graduate programs of study that form seminarians for the Catholic priesthood in conformity with the requirements of the USCCB’s (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’) Program of Priestly Formation (PPF). At the undergraduate level, the seminary offers three different programs of Pre-theology studies, each of which prepare students for graduate level work in theology in accord with the norms set by the PPF:

 The Standard Program in Pre-Theology (non-degree, certificate program).  The Bachelor of Philosophy degree (B. Phil.), offered in affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.  The Bachelor of Arts degree with Philosophy Major (B.A.), offered through Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

At the graduate level, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary offers two graduate degree programs in theological study, which prepare men for the intellectual challenges of the priesthood, as well as the practical pastoral aspects of the life and ministry of a priest. These are:

 The Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology degree (S.T.B.), offered in affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

 The Master of Divinity degree (M. Div.), accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

The Pre-Theology Program

The Pre-Theology Program at St. John Vianney is a two- or three-year cycle of courses which includes three essential components: philosophy, introductory courses in theology, and languages. These elements are designed to promote the intellectual formation of the seminarian and to provide a solid foundation for advanced theological study. Seminarians may choose between degree and non-degree programs in philosophy to meet the entrance requirements for the four-year Theology Program. Normally all seminarians must at a minimum fulfill the requirements of the PPF.

Philosophy Component The study of philosophy is central to our Pre-Theology Program. The goal of the philosophy curriculum is "to develop a reflective awareness of the fundamental relationship that exists between the human spirit and truth, that truth which is revealed to us fully in Jesus Christ" (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 52). This includes both theoretical and practical knowledge of the identity and dignity of the human person and of the real possibility for discovering objective truth. The curriculum considers the role of reason in determining man’s true good, ethical norms, the origin of values, the existence and nature of God, and the integral foundations for building the common good. These are the subject matter of philosophy as an autonomous discipline, based on its own methodology and the light of human reason.

Philosophy also has an important value in relation to theology. By studying philosophy in the light of faith, seminarians are formed in the following capacities:

 to think logically and critically as well as to express, in writing and speech, a coherent line of reasoning, which will serve as an aid in catechesis and homiletics;  to understand the roots of contemporary cultural trends, so he may enter into serious dialogue with persons who have different views, and offer valid reasons that support positions consistent with Catholic teaching;  to understand the historical roots of Catholic philosophy, its variety and richness, and its continued relevance for men, women, and families as they face contemporary challenges to the common good; and  to develop the capability to make careful and accurate ethical distinctions as aids to counseling others in spiritual direction, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or in other encounters with people they meet.

Theology and Language Components of Pre-Theology The PPF requires that the curriculum for pre-theology include introductory theology courses, liberal arts, and a foundational “knowledge of Latin and Biblical Languages” (189). In light of this, our Pre-Theology Program includes introductory courses in theology, including in the

12 theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, sacred music, Latin, and Hebrew.

The following courses are required of all students regardless of whether they are enrolled in the Standard Program in Pre-Theology, the Bachelor of Philosophy degree, or the Bachelor of Arts degree with Philosophy Major:

Theo 1025 Introduction to Theology 3 credits Theo 1560 Sacred Music 3 credits Theo 2025 Theology of St. Thomas 3 credits Theo 2050 Topics in Theology 3 credits Total 12 credits

Lat 1001 Latin I 3 credits Lat 1002 Latin II 3 credits Lat 2003 Latin III 3 credits Lat 2010 Hebrew 3 credits Total 12 credits

The Standard Program in Pre-Theology

St. John Vianney’s Standard Program in Pre-Theology is rigorous and effective. It is a non- degree plan of study which requires 38 credit hours in philosophy and the completion of 12 hours of language and 12 hours of undergraduate theology. At the conclusion of the program, students must successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination covering the philosophy curriculum.

In addition to the undergraduate theology and language courses listed above, the following philosophy courses are required in the Standard Program:

Phil 1004 Ancient Western Philosophy 3 credits Phil 1005 Philosophical Methods and Logic 3 credits Phil 1007 Epistemology 3 credits Phil 1008 Metaphysics 3 credits Phil 1009 Medieval Philosophy 3 credits Phil 1010 Philosophical Anthropology 3 credits Phil 2004 Modern Philosophy 3 credits Phil 1003 Philosophy of God 3 credits Phil 2006 Ethics 3 credits Phil 2008 Contemporary Philosophy 3 credits Phil 2009 Social and Political Philosophy 2 credits Phil 2011 Rhetoric 2 credits Phil 2012 Philosophy of Science 3 credits Phil 2999 Comprehensive Exam 1 credit Total: 38 credits

The Bachelor of Philosophy Degree (B. Phil.)

Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary offers a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Because of the depth and breadth of the Standard Program in Pre-Theology, a student who completes the courses required for it needs only 13 additional credits to complete the required coursework for the B. Phil. degree. Students who have attended college or university prior to entering the seminary are often able to receive transfer credit allowing them to complete the B. Phil. in four semesters. Others choose to extend their studies in Pre-Theology in order to earn the B. Phil. The additional courses required for the B. Phil are:

Phil 2003 Philosophy of Religion 2 credits Phil 2007 Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas 2 credits Phil 2010 Senior Seminar 3 credits Phil 2350 Elective Seminar 4 credits Phil 2350 Elective Course 2 credits

Elective Offerings for the B. Phil. Degree The department offers one elective each semester which can be taken either as a two-credit course or as a four-credit seminar requiring a major seminar paper. Electives are organized around important topics or figures in Philosophy. In recent years the department has offered electives on the following topics and figures:

The Problem of Evil Edith Stein Philosophy of Art Lewis and Chesterton Philosophy of Friendship Neo-Platonic Thinkers Philosophy of Complementarity Kierkegaard Science and Religion Gabriel Marcel French Personalism Plato Philosophy and the Embryo

Thesis and Comprehensive Examination Requirements for B. Phil. Degree A senior thesis is required as the final achievement of study for the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. The thesis, written under the supervision of a philosophy instructor, should demonstrate a student’s ability to present research in philosophy with clarity and organization. The thesis is written in accordance with the Norms of Affiliation established by the Congregation for Catholic Education, the regulations of the Pontifical Lateran University and the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary Department of Philosophy. A comprehensive oral examination, presided over by a delegate of the Pontifical Lateran University, is also required for the Bachelor of Philosophy degree.

The Bachelor of Arts Degree with Philosophy Major (B.A.)

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. The bachelor’s degree

requires the student to complete a total of 128 credit hours, including 30 semester credits in philosophy. All of the philosophy credits required for the Regis degree, as well as language electives and courses in Catholic Humanities, can be taken at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Core classes are taken on the campus of Regis University, or may be transferred in from other institutions.

The normal length of time required to complete the B.A. degree from Regis University is four years. Students who have attended other accredited colleges or universities may petition to have their credits transferred to Regis University to fulfill degree requirements and reduce the time required to complete the degree.

The Theology Program

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 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; and 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 more skilled 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.

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

The Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) is an ecclesiastical degree offered through affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. The curriculum is modeled after the academic program of the Lateran with the addition of certain courses required by the Program for Priestly Formation. The requirements and normal course sequencing for the S.T.B. are outlined below.

Degree Requirements To complete the S.T.B. degree, candidates must:

 complete a total of 127 credit hours (57 courses) of academic course work;  maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all graduate courses taken at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary;  complete a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all required coursework at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary;  pass a comprehensive oral examination;  write a 30 page thesis.

Comprehensive Oral Examination In the spring of his final year, each candidate must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive oral examination which will offer the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to synthesize the knowledge he has gained throughout his theological formation. A list of 15 theses will be given to students during the fall semester. An hour before the examination, the student will draw three theses by lot. He will choose one on which to give an oral presentation of 10 minutes, after which the examining board may ask questions on any of the three theses drawn. The oral examination is about thirty minutes in length.

The examination board consists of three professors plus the Academic Dean and is presided over by a delegate of the Pontifical Lateran University. 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. The degree honors summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude, or the designations bene probatus and probatus are assigned based on this final score.

Written Thesis Under the guidance of a thesis director of his choice, the seminarian prepares a written thesis of about 30 pages, based on research approved by the thesis director and the Academic Dean. He is required to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter and the ability to relate the thesis topic synthetically to other branches of theology. The thesis is examined by the director and one other faculty member, usually the Academic Dean, and graded on its conformity to these standards.

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).

Course Requirements for the S.T.B. Degree

The following S.T.B. curriculum was revised and approved by the faculty, administration and Board of Trustees of the seminary, as well as the Pontifical Lateran University in the spring of 2012. All 2012-2013 incoming First Year Theology students will be admitted under this curriculum, which is being phased in beginning in the fall of the 2012-2013 AY. All S.T.B. students are concurrently enrolled in the M.Div. Program (see below), ensuring that all the requirements of the Program of Priestly Formation are fulfilled.

Languages: 6 credit hours 3110 Greek I 3 credits 3220 Greek II 3 credits 4130 Greek III (optional) (2 credits)

Scripture: 21 credit hours 3115 Pentateuch 3 credits 3260 Prophets 3 credits 4230 Psalms and Wisdom Literature 3 credits 4212 Luke and Acts 2 credits 5115 St. Paul 3 credits 5210 Synoptics: Matthew/Mark 2 credits 6100 St. John 3 credits 6212 Revelation/Catholic Epistles 2 credits

Dogmatics: 24 credit hours 3120 Fundamental Theology 4 credits 3250 Trinity: The One & Triune God 3 credits 4115 Christology 3 credits 5120 Theological Anthropology & Eschatology 4 credits 5220 Ecclesiology & Ecumenism 3 credits 6140 Evangelization & Catechesis 3 credits 6210 Mariology 2 credits 6285 Elective 2 credits

Church History: 10 credit hours 3230 Patristics 3 credits 4125 History of the Church I 3 credits 4240 History of the Church II 4 credits

Moral & Spiritual Theology: 14 credit hours 4120 Moral Theology I 3 credits 4210 Moral Theology II 2 credits 5125 Sexual Ethics 3 credits 5290 Bioethics 2 credits 5230 Catholic Social Teaching 2 credits 6105 Spiritual Theology 2 credits

Sacraments and Liturgy: 17 credit hours 3135 Liturgical and Sacramental Theology 3 credits 3125 Baptism and Confirmation 2 credits 3270 Sacrament of Holy Eucharist 2 credits 4135 Sacrament of Matrimony 2 credits 5240 Sacrament of Holy Orders 3 credits 6110 Sacraments of Healing with Practicum 3 credits 6250 Roman Missal with Practicum 2 credits

Pastoral/ Canon Law/Homiletics & Practica: 35 credits hours 3130 Pastoral Psychology 2 credits 3140 Liturgical Practicum: Lector 1 credit 4220 Liturgical Practicum: Acolyte 1 credit 5250 Liturgical Practicum: Deacon 1 credit 3165 Apostolic Field Assignment I 1 credit 3265 Apostolic Field Assignment II 1 credit 4165 Extended Parish Placement I 1 credit 4265 Extended Parish Placement II 1 credit 4700 Extended Parish Placement III 1 credit 5165 Extended Parish Placement IV 1 credit 5265 Extended Parish Placement V 1 credit 4145 Canon Law I 2 credits 4250 Canon Law II 2 credits TBD Canon Law III 2 credits 4155 Homiletics I 2 credits 4255 Homiletics II 2 credits 5155 Homiletics III 2 credits 5255 Homiletics IV 2 credits 4260 Pastoral Theology 2 credits 5140 Marriage Counseling 2 credits 5310 Parish Management Workshop 2 credits 6125 Spiritual Direction 1 credit 6165 Diaconal Parish Assignment I 1 credit 6265 Diaconal Parish Assignment II 1 credit

Total: 127 credits

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. The M.Div. is a professional degree accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

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 101 semester credit hours (47 courses) as listed below and meet the following requirements:

 maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all courses taken at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary;  complete a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all required coursework at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

Course Requirements for the Master of Divinity Degree

The M.Div. curriculum was revised and approved by the faculty, administration and Board of Trustees of the seminary in the spring of 2012. All 2012-2013 incoming First Year Theology Students will be admitted under this curriculum, which is being phased in beginning in the fall of the 2012-2013 AY. Most M.Div. students are concurrently enrolled in the S.T.B. program (see above), ensuring that all the requirements of the Program of Priestly Formation are fulfilled. Scripture: 10 credit hours 3115 Pentateuch 3 credits 4212 Luke and Acts 2 credits 5115 St. Paul 3 credits 5210 Synoptics: Matthew/Mark 2 credits

Dogmatics: 22 credit hours 3120 Fundamental Theology 4 credits 3250 Trinity: The One & Triune God 3 credits 4115 Christology 3 credits 5120 Theological Anthropology & Eschatology 4 credits 5220 Ecclesiology & Ecumenism 3 credits 6140 Evangelization & Catechesis 3 credits 6210 Mariology 2 credits

Church History: 10 credit hours 3230 Patristics 3 credits 4125 History of the Church I 3 credits 4240 History of the Church II 4 credits

Moral & Spiritual Theology: 7 credit hour 4120 Moral Theology I 3 credits 4210 Moral Theology II 2 credits 6105 Spiritual Theology 2 credits

Pastoral/ Canon Law/Homiletics & Practica: 35 credit hours 3130 Pastoral Psychology 2 credits 3140 Liturgical Practicum: Lector 1 credit 4220 Liturgical Practicum: Acolyte 1 credit 5250 Liturgical Practicum: Deacon 1 credit 3165 Apostolic Field Assignment I 1 credit 3265 Apostolic Field Assignment II 1 credit 4165 Extended Parish Placement I 1 credit 4265 Extended Parish Placement II 1 credit 4700 Extended Parish Placement III 1 credit 5165 Extended Parish Placement IV 1 credit 5265 Extended Parish Placement V 1 credit 4145 Canon Law I 2 credits 4250 Canon Law II 2 credits TBD Canon Law III 2 credits 4155 Homiletics I 2 credits 4255 Homiletics II 2 credits 5155 Homiletics III 2 credits

5255 Homiletics IV 2 credits 4260 Pastoral Theology 2 credits 5140 Marriage Counseling 2 credits 5310 Parish Management Workshop 2 credits 6125 Spiritual Direction 1 credit 6165 Diaconal Parish Assignment I 1 credit 6265 Diaconal Parish Assignment II 1 credit

Total 101 credits

ACADEMIC POLICIES

Admission

Admission to the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is limited to qualified men who have been admitted into a program of priestly formation for a diocese or religious institute. Each candidate for admission must be sponsored by his Ordinary or Religious Superior and then approved by the Rector of the Seminary. Admission thus has two stages: first, to be admitted as a seminarian for a certain diocese or religious community, and second, to be admitted to St. John Vianney for studies and formation.

Seminary formation has four components or pillars - intellectual, pastoral, spiritual, and human - which are carried out in different institutions for different seminarians. St. John Vianney provides intellectual and pastoral formation for all those enrolled, and spiritual and human formation those who reside at SJV. Thus there are general admissions requirements for all students and specific requirements for residential students, as well as some specific requirements for individual degree programs.

Requirements of all applicants Requirements for admission for all students include the following:  completion of the appropriate application form (the form depends on the type of formation being received at SJV);  a letter from the applicant’s Bishop or Superior stating that he is sending the applicant to SJV for academic formation;  high school transcripts with an official translation if from a language other than English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, or Latin;  official transcripts for all college or university courses completed (to be sent directly by institution to SJV), with an official translation if in languages other than those listed for high school transcripts;  completion of Certificate of Immunization for College Students, required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment;  for non-native English speakers, a TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet based) Score Report from an examination within two years prior to the date of

application, unless the intent is to enter into the English as a Second Language Program (ESL).

Requirements for residential students Requirements for admission for residential students include all of the documents listed above, plus the following:  statement regarding motivation to the priesthood;  autobiography;  official copies of Sacramental certificates;  three letters of recommendation;  physician’s examination and report including the following: a. HIV test (within 1 year) b. immunization records c. completed immunization form of the State of Colorado  dental examination report;  psychological evaluation;  background check.

An interview with the SJV Admissions Board is required for all residential candidates.

Requirements to enter the Theology Program In addition to fulfilling the admissions requirements, applicants to the theology program must meet the following entrance requirements:

 hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an approved college or university;  have completed 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 St. John Vianney Seminary; the 30 hours must include metaphysics, natural theology, anthropology, epistemology, ethics, logic, and the history of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary philosophy;  complete 12 credits in introductory theology courses.  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.

International Students

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security to enroll international students in its program of priestly formation. A student whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English before he can enroll in an academic program at the seminary. A comprehensive assessment of a student’s college-level English proficiency is administered under the auspices of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. Normally, a score of ‘70’ or higher on the Test of English as a

Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for enrollment in a full course load in the academic programs of study. Permission for students to take a reduced course load is granted on the basis of a recommendation of the Coordinator of the English as a Second Language Program and the results of the language proficiency assessment (TOEFL). A multi-level English as a Second Language Program is offered at the seminary which includes language instruction at the beginning, intermediate, advanced and academic levels. Preparation for the TOEFL is also offered as part of the ESL Program.

Application Packet

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary forms men for the Catholic priesthood and for service to the Archdiocese of Denver as well as the Universal Church. Applicants interested in applying for admission to the seminary should contact Rev. Michael G. Glenn, Rector of the Seminary, at the following address:

Rev. Msgr. Michael Glenn St. John Vianney Theological Seminary 1300 South Steele Street Denver, Colorado 80210 Office (303) 282-3427 Fax (303) 282-3453 [email protected] [email protected]

Registration

There is one registration procedure for all seminarians. Official registration prior to the start of each term is required and students may not attend classes without completing the formal registration process. Once an Official Registration Form has been approved and submitted to the Office of the Registrar, no registration changes may be initiated without the written approval of the Academic Dean, the formation mentor, and the academic advisor. The last day to add or drop a class during an academic term is published in the academic calendar.

Transfer Credits and Advanced Class Standing

If a candidate has earned academic credit at another accredited college, university or seminary, he may apply to the Academic Dean to apply these credits to his St. John Vianney program.

Requirements for transfer credits include the following:

1. It is the right and responsibility of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (SJV) to determine if and when it will accept academic credits earned at other institutions to meet its own academic requirements. 2. In order for transfer courses to be evaluated and credit awarded, it is the student’s responsibility to have an “official transcript” sent directly from the previous institution to 24

the Office of the Registrar at SJV. 3. To be considered “official” a transcript must be sent in a sealed envelope, signed, and mailed by the granting institution. No photocopies will be accepted. 4. In order to be considered for transfer credit, the course must be similar in scope and content to a course offered at SJV. A college/seminary catalog course description or course syllabus may be required to assess the transferability of credit. 5. In order to be considered for transfer credit at SJV, coursework must have been taken at a comparable level to the course for which it would substitute and, preferably, have been earned at an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting body. 6. A grade of “C” or higher must have been earned in an undergraduate course to be considered for undergraduate transfer credit. A grade of “B” or higher must have been earned in a graduate level course in order to be considered for graduate transfer credit. 7. Credits earned at the undergraduate level may not be applied toward courses offered by SJV at the graduate level. 8. A transfer course of a lesser credit hour value will not suffice for one of a higher credit hour value. However, courses of similar scope and content but of a lesser credit hour value may be applied toward the partial fulfillment of a course of a higher credit hour value at SJV. In that case, the content and/or credit hour deficiency must be made-up elsewhere in the curriculum. If a transfer course carries a credit value different from the credit value of a similar course at SJV, the credit value of the SJV course will determine the credits required for the fulfillment of requirements for SJV degrees. 9. No more than fifty percent of required coursework may be transferred into a degree program at SJV. 10. Coursework considered for transfer credit must have been earned no more than 10 years prior to the date the credits are presented for review at SJV. 11. Official transcripts received by the Office of the Registrar are the property of the Registrar’s Office.

The Cycle Director (Philosophy or Theology) will make the initial evaluation and give a recommendation to the Academic Dean, who will make the final decision about transfer credit.

Student Classifications

The Seminary Statutes recognize three distinct categories of students in our Theology Program:

 An “Ordinary” student holds an earned baccalaureate (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university and follows a specific program of study to earn a degree.

 An "Extraordinary" student has not obtained a college degree or its equivalent, and is thus not qualified for the reception of the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology granted by the Pontifical Lateran University. Nor is an extraordinary student eligible for the M.Div. Degree program. After the completion of three full years of study in the Theology Cycle, an extraordinary student who has demonstrated a capacity for intensive theological studies may be accepted by the Administrative Council as an ordinary student.

 “Audit” is a registration status that allows a student to attend a course without receiving academic credit for the course. Audit implies no academic achievement on the part of the student and courses taken by audit do not count toward meeting degree requirements or toward full-time status. It is each professor’s option to require full academic participation in the class by requiring the auditing student to write research papers, to participate in class discussions, or to sit for exams. Grades for written papers and examinations are “advisory only” since no credit is given for audited classes.

 The instructor may administratively remove an auditing student from class for nonattendance or for behavior that is in any way disruptive to the class. The permanent academic record will reflect the grade status of “AU” for students who successfully complete a course taken for audit.

 A course may not be changed from “audit status” to “credit status,” after the add/drop date and students are required to process a “Change of Schedule” form to withdraw from an audited class. An audit course is charged at the same rate as a credit course. An “Auditor” may attend classes upon the written permission of the Academic Dean and the instructor of record for a given course.

In addition to these three kinds of students, provision is also made for E.S.L. students to take a limited number of theology or pre-theology courses until sufficient mastery of the English language is demonstrated. Permission is conditionally granted by the Academic Dean on the basis of grade point average, full-time student course load requirements, and demonstrated student commitment to completing academic requirements.

Academic Advisors Seminarians who are eligible to enroll in an academic program of studies are assigned to an academic advisor at the start of their pre-theologate and theologate programs. The academic advisor, in cooperation with the seminarian’s formator, works closely with each student to plan his academic program.

Program Requirements

Full Time Course Load To be considered full-time, a student must carry at least 12 semester hours of credit during a regular term. Normally students enroll in 14-16 credits per semester. In exceptional cases a student may petition the Academic Dean to register for more than 16 semester hours of credit. Only with the written permission of his formation director may a student register for less than 12 credit hours in a semester. International students must maintain full time status, in accord with the regulations of Homeland Security.

Contact Hours and Class Preparation The seminary operates on a 13 week semester hour system. One semester hour of credit is equal to 13 hours of classroom instruction during the term; two semester hours of credits require 26 26 hours of classroom instruction; three semester hours equate to 39 hours of class room instruction, etc. In addition to this, the semester includes study days and final examination days. Intellectual formation is rigorous as are the other areas of formation. Students are expected to spend an appropriate amount of time preparing for each class. This ought not to exceeds two hours for each hour of instruction. For each credit hour, one to two hours of outside reading and homework is expected.

Required Reading Seminary classes are taught at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level (in the Pre- theology and Theology Programs, respectively). Reading requirements are identified in the course syllabus. There is no absolute norm regarding the quantity of reading required for an academic course. Students are required to have, in their possession for personal use, both in and outside regularly scheduled classes, the required texts for each class.

Examinations and Other Forms of Assessment Depending on the nature of the course and the discretion of the instructor, both a mid-term and a final examination, either written or oral, may be required. Instructors may elect to give regular examinations or to grade students on the basis of papers, assignments, research projects, class participation, etc. Final examinations will be scheduled outside of the regular course schedule at the end of each semester. The dates and the times for final examinations are scheduled by the Registrar.

Papers and Written Reports General Norms: Term papers, research or reaction papers, and theses are to be written in accordance with accepted academic form and style. All papers are to be typed. St. John Vianney Theological Seminary follows the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed. The most recent editions of The Bedford Handbook by Diana Hacker and Kate L Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations are also recommended as they include the rubrics of the Chicago Manual of Style in concise form.

Written Assignments: An instructor may require written assignments which may involve research. Papers demonstrate the student’s ability to examine a topic, compile an appropriate bibliography, and carry out an acceptable investigation of the question at hand. All written assignments should meet the standards for composition and grammar in accordance with the General Norms provided above.

Assistance with Writing Skills: The seminary offers assistance for students who need help in developing their writing skills. A faculty member may require that a student work with the writing tutor or students may sign up for tutoring themselves. In addition, students may work on writing skills independently in the seminary’s Language Lab using computer software available for this purpose.

Syllabus The instructor will provide a syllabus to each seminarian on the first day of class. A current copy of the syllabus for every course is kept on file in the Office of the Academic Dean. The syllabus will contain the following information: (1) a brief description of the course and an outline of

27 topics to be covered; (2) a list of required texts for the course; (3) a list of required reading and written assignments for the course, including a list of dates on which assignments are due; (4) a schedule of examinations; (5) a statement of the grading procedure to be used in the course, indicating what percentage of the final grade is based on papers, assignments, examinations, classroom participation, etc.; and (6) a schedule of office hours during which the instructor is available for consultation and the process for making appointments, should meetings outside of the instructor’s normal office hours be necessary.

Grading System

A standard 4.00 grading system is used to measure academic performance. A 4.00 grade point average marks the highest level of academic achievement at the seminary. Grade point average is calculated by dividing the number of honor points earned by the number of credit hours attempted. Honor points are assigned to grades as follows:

Letter Honor Grade Percent Points Designation

A 93-100% 4.00 Superior A- 90-92% 3.75 Excellent B+ 87-89% 3.50 Very Good B 83-86% 3.00 Good B- 80-82% 2.75 Satisfactory Mastery C+ 77-79% 2.50 Below Satisfactory Mastery C 73-76% 2.00 Sufficient Level of Mastery (1) C- 70-72% 1.75 Below Sufficient Mastery D+ 67-69% 1.50 Lack of Mastery D 63-66% 1.00 Poor D- 60-62% .75 Very Poor (2) F 00-59% 0.00 Failure (3) I 0.00 An Incomplete Grade (4) W 0.00 Approved Withdrawal (5) P 0.00 Pass in a Pass/Fail Course (6) TR 0.00 Transfer Credit (7) AU 0.00 Audit (8) R 0.00 Repeated Course (9)

Grading Policies (1) A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (“C”) is required for graduation in all degree programs. (2) “D-” is the lowest acceptable grade for both the pre-theology and the theology cycle. (3) A grade of “F” indicates failure to meet the minimum objectives of the course. An “F” may be removed by re-examination or other suitable means, as determined by the instructor and the cycle director. Re-examination must be completed by the fourteenth calendar day of the next semester. Otherwise, a failed course must be repeated.

(4) A student is expected to complete all work within the term. The grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be issued only when a student has completed a substantial amount of the required work for the course (normally 80%), and the student’s academic studies are interrupted for a medical emergency or some other just cause beyond the control of the student. An “Incomplete” may not be given simply to allow additional time to complete assigned course work. When and “Incomplete” is granted, the work needed to complete the course, as directed by the instructor, must be submitted on or before the fourteenth calendar day of the next semester. Failure to complete the required work as scheduled will result in a grade of “F” for the course, unless the Academic Dean determines that a just cause requires that a “W” be entered as a permanent record on the transcript. (5) A “W” designates an approved withdrawal from a course after the end of the second week of class through the end of the tenth week of class. See the Academic Calendar for specific dates. (6) A grade of “Pass” indicates a student has met the requirements for the course and is not included in the student’s grade point average. (7) The designation “TR” shows that credit for a given course was earned at another college, university, or seminary and accepted as “transfer” credit at St. John Vianney. While approved transfer credits count toward a degree at the seminary, grades earned elsewhere are not transferable and are not included in the calculation of grade point average at St. John Vianney. (8) With the approval of the Academic Dean, a student may choose to “Audit” a course. A student receives no grade or credit for an audited course. After the first two weeks of class, a student’s status may not be changed from audit to credit, or vice versa. See “Student Classifications” above for further stipulations regarding class audits. (9) The designation “R” shows that a student has repeated a course. Only the more recent grade is calculated in the student’s grade point average; the previous grade is replaced with the “R” designation and is not calculated into the cumulative grade point average.

Academic Honors Each year academic honors are awarded upon graduation to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, measured by their cumulative grade point average. The cumulative grade point average requirements for graduation summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude are determined by the Pontifical Lateran University. The cumulative grade point average for each of the designations used by the Lateran is as follows:

Academic Honor Grade on 10 pt scale Grade on 4 pt scale Summa cum laude 9.7 - 10 3.9 - 4.0 Magna cum laude 8.7 - 9.6 3.5 - 3.8 Cum laude 7.7 - 8.6 3.1 - 3.4 Bene probatus 6.7 - 7.6 2.7 - 3.0 Probatus 6.0 - 6.6 2.4 - 2.6

A student must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary to be eligible to graduate with academic honors. Grades are not transferred from other institutions and are not included when calculating the cumulative grade point average.

Academic Probation The seminary requires all students to perform at or above the 2.00 grade point level in all academic work. Students who perform below a 2.00 grade point average for a semester are placed on academic probation and informed of their status. A student who is placed on probation is interviewed by his academic advisor and the Academic Dean in order to determine the factors that may be contributing to his academic difficulties. The Academic Dean will consult with the student, the student’s formation and academic advisors, the relevant cycle director, the Vice- Rector, and the Rector to design a plan to improve performance. The diocesan bishop or religious superior of the student will be notified of the student’s academic probation status and the plan for improvement. The student’s progress will be monitored closely throughout the subsequent term. If a student is on academic probation for two consecutive semesters, the Academic Dean, after consultation with others, may reduce a student’s academic load and require the student to participate in appropriate tutorials and study skills training. If the student continues to perform below the 2.00 grade point requirement, he may be advised to withdraw from the academic program. A student who has earned a grade point average of 1.00 or less at the end of an academic year may be dismissed from the seminary.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary complies fully with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendment). The seminary accords all the rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to students who are enrolled in a program of studies. No one shall have access to, nor does the seminary disclose any information from, students’ education records without the written consent of students except to personnel within the institution with direct educational interest, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. All these exceptions are permitted under the Act.

Within the seminary community, only those members, individually or collectively, acting in the students’ direct educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These members include formation personnel and academic personnel within the limitation of their “need to know” as determined by the Registrar. Non-directory information, notably grade records, are released to third parties only on written request of the student, or when otherwise required by law (e.g. subpoena).

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 provides students the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records, to challenge the contents of their education records, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if they feel the hearing panel’s decisions are unacceptable. The Registrar’s Office has been designated by the Rector to coordinate the inspection and review of procedures for student education records, which include academic files. Students wishing to review their education records must submit a written request to the Registrar listing the item or items of interest. Only records covered in the Act are made available, within 45 days of the request. Education records do not include student health records, employment

records, alumni records, or records of instructional, administrative and educational personnel that are the sole possession of the maker.

Students may not inspect and review the following as outlined by the Act: confidential letters and recommendations associated with admissions, employment or job placement, or honors to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review; or education records containing information about more than one student, in which case the seminary permits access only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring student. (Adapted from: A Guide to Postsecondary Institutions for Implementation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 1990.)

Student Discipline

Attendance Attendance and participation in class are vital to academic success, and students are expected to be present at every meeting of each class for which they are registered. Instructors are at liberty to stipulate in the course syllabus consequences of unexcused absences in the calculation of a student’s final grade. If an instructor notes that a student has more than one unexcused absence from a class, this should be reported to the student’s academic and formation advisors. Absence (whether excused or unexcused) from more than 20% of the meetings scheduled for a course will normally mean the student is subject to administrative withdrawal from the course and will not be permitted to take the final exam for that course.

Punctuality Prompt class attendance is the norm. Students are expected to arrive at class and be seated prior to the established starting time for the class. Excessive tardiness may affect the final grade in the course.

Academic Integrity Students are expected to follow a strict honor code in taking examinations and in preparing papers, reports, and class assignments. All work submitted by students in fulfillment of the requirements of a class or seminar must represent their original endeavors. Seminarians are expected to respect academic scholarship by giving proper credit to other people’s work, while at the same time preparing themselves well for assigned materials and examinations, so that their academic integrity will never be questioned. Violation of the honor code is a serious offense which can result in the loss of academic credit or dismissal from the seminary.

Financial

Tuition and Fees In 2012-2013, tuition for seminarians from outside the Archdiocese of Denver is $17,084.00 per annum. Students admitted under special circumstances for a particular course are charged $525.00 per credit hour. (Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice.)

Housing Housing and meals are provided for seminarians of the Archdiocese of Denver and those assigned to the Seminary by their local Ordinary. The cost for room and board is $10,121 per annum.

Insurance Coverage Health care insurance is provided for seminarians of the Archdiocese of Denver. Seminarians from other dioceses must make arrangements for health insurance coverage through their local Ordinary. All seminarians must purchase their own books and personal items. Students are expected to assume responsibility for auto, fire, theft, and personal property insurance.

Withdrawal from the Seminary A student in good standing may withdraw from the Seminary during a semester by submitting a completed “Request for Withdrawal” to the Academic Dean. Each student is responsible for settling all outstanding bills and returning all books to the library prior to leaving the seminary.

Refunds Students who withdraw from the seminary before the end of an academic semester will be charged for tuition, room, and board on a pro rata basis, according to the date of withdrawal.

PERSONNEL

Board of Trustees

Corporate Members

Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila Archbishop of Denver Chancellor of the Seminary

Rev. Monsignor Michael G. Glenn Rector and President, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

Rev. Monsignor Thomas S. Fryar, V.G. Moderator of the Curia, Archdiocese of Denver

Rev. Monsignor Bernard A. Schmitz Vicar for Clergy, Archdiocese of Denver

Members of the Board of Trustees

Most Reverend James Conley Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Denver

Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne Bishop of Cheyenne

Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted Bishop of Phoenix

Most Reverend Michael J. Sheridan Bishop of Colorado Springs

Kathryn Benes, Ph.D.

Marilyn Coors, Ph.D.

Mr. William E. Keefe

Rev. Florián Martín-Calama Rector, Redemptoris Mater Seminary

Rev. Mr. James Keating, Ph.D.

Mr. Wayne Murdy 33

Mr. Timothy Reichert

Rev. James Shea President, University of Mary, Bismarck, ND

Rev. Mr. John Smith Director of St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons Archdiocese of Denver

Rev. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M.Cap. USCCB, Doctrine and Pastoral Practices Washington, D.C

Mr. James Flynn, J.C.L. Chancellor, Archdiocese of Denver Board Secretary

Mr. David Holden Director for Finance, Administration, & Planning, Archdiocese of Denver Board Treasurer

Staff Support

Rev. Mr. John Neal Vice President, Finance and Operations, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

Melissa Crowley Director of Development

Breanna DeMarco Assistant to the Rector Recording Secretary

Faculty Liaisons

Rev. Andreas Hoeck, SSD Academic Dean

Susan Selner-Wright, Ph.D. Director, Pre-Theology Cycle

Sean Innerst, D.Th. Director, Theology Cycle

Faculty and Staff

Administration

Very Rev. Michael G. Glenn, S.T.L. Rector

Rev. Jorge Rodriguez, S.T.D. Vice Rector

Rev. Mr. John Neal, M.B.A. Vice President, Finance and Operations

Rev. Daniel Barron, OMV, M.A. Director of Spiritual Formation

Rev. Jason Wallace, S.T.L. Director of Pastoral Formation

Rev. Andreas Hoeck, S.S.D. Academic Dean

Sean Innerst, D.Th. Director, Theology Cycle

Susan Selner-Wright, Ph.D. Director, Pre-Theology Cycle

Richard Neyens, Ph.D. Registrar

Marica Frank, Ph.D. Liaison to Regis University

Sr. Mary Pierre Jean Wilson, R.S.M., J.C.D. Accreditation Coordinator for the Association of Theological Schools and the Pontifical Lateran University

Stephen Sweeney, M.L.I.S. Library Director

Tamara Conley Reference Librarian

Melissa Crowley Director of Development

Breanna DeMarco Administrative Coordinator

Pamela Tovar Administrative Assistant

Debra Tapp Administrative Assistant to the Academic Dean

Lynn Cotton Library Assistant

Mena Gallegos Administrative Assistant

Formation Faculty

Rev. Jorge Rodriguez Director of Formation

Rev. Msgr. Michael G. Glenn

Rev. Matthew Book

Rev. Luis Escandon

Rev. Gary Selin

Rev. James Thermos

Rev. Jason Wallace

Other

Rev. James Thermos Director, Spirituality Year Program

Christina Lynch, Psy.D. Staff Psychotherapist

Full-Time Academic Faculty

Sr. Mary Prudence Allen, R.S.M., Ph.D.

Joel Barstad, Ph.D.

Christian Brugger, D.Phil.

Germaine Bruno Ph.D. (candidate)

Rev. Chrysostom Frank, Ph.D.

Marica Frank, Ph.D.

Rev. Raymond Gawronski, S.J., S.T.D.

Rev. Andreas Hoeck, S.S.D.

Sean Innerst, D.Th.

Mark Lawlor, D.M.A.

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D.

Thomas McLaughlin, Ph.D.

Sr. Esther Mary Nickel, R.S.M., Ph.D., S.L.D.

Rev. Jorge Rodriguez, S.T.D.

Rev. Gary Selin, S.T.D.

Susan C. Selner-Wright, Ph.D.

André Villeneuve, Ph.D. (candidate)

Rev. Jason Wallace, S.T.L.

Sr. Mary Pierre Jean Wilson, R.S.M., J.C.D.

Terrence C. Wright, Ph.D.

Part-Time Academic Faculty

Phillip Banning, Ph.D.

Gregory Creed, Ph.D.

Timothy Gray, Ph.D.

Anita Jepson-Gilbert, M.A.

Rev. Daniel Leonard, Ph.D.

Rev. Mr. John Neal, M.B.A.

Rev. Mr. Chuck Parker, M.A.