Classical Education and Priestly Formation

As many public school districts face staffing crises (and all available data indicate the problem is only going to continue), the classical education movement shows promise and potential for growth across the country.

The Vatican’s approval of the sixth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation, which establishes timetables and guidelines for seminary formation, includes notable changes. The propaedeutic stage will consist of an entire year dedicated to prayer and discipleship, separate from intensive academic work. The vocational synthesis stage will occur between diaconal and priestly formation with a focus on integrating men into parish and diocesan life. The Pillar offers an explanation of the document and the potential impacts such changes may have on seminaries.

Archbishop Charles Chaput writes to Christians living in a seemingly-declining America: we love our country, but also know that it is not our final home. How are we to view the present moment, and what are we to do?

The Prayer of Abandonment, written by Blessed Charles de Foucauld, arises from his own search for meaning as an agnostic and his later vocation as a priest and monk. Foucauld will be canonized on May 15.

Bishop Barron, reflecting on current social trends and the “woke” movement, identifies within them a Platonic strain – and argues that this could have serious consequences.

Cardinal George Pell predicts Pope Francis will intervene to prevent schism within the German Church.

Pope Francis held an anniversary Mass for the victims of the 2019 Sri Lankan Easter bombings and called on authorities to release information concerning the perpetrators of the attacks.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him when she first sees him after the Resurrection. This interaction, presented countless times throughout the history of Christian art, begs the question: Why not?