“Go forward bravely. Fear nothing.Trust in God.” – St. Joan of Arc
In the seminary, young men learn to pray deeply, live joyfully in community, and serve with generous hearts. It’s a place of laughter in the dining hall, quiet moments before the tabernacle, and hours of study that stretch both mind and spirit. Here, gifts are refined, virtues are strengthened, and hearts are shaped for a lifetime of priestly ministry. In this environment, ordinary men are transformed—day by day—into shepherds after the heart of Christ.
Seminary life is marked by prayer, study, and brotherhood. It’s a rhythm that balances the chapel, the classroom, and community living. Days begin in prayer and end in reflection, with time for meals shared in joy, hours of study that shape both heart and mind, and quiet moments that remind each seminarian why he is here: to grow closer to Christ and prepare to serve His Church.
Daily Schedule
Did you know that seminarians pray the Liturgy of the Hours—morning, evening, and night—uniting their day with the universal prayer of the Church?
Activities & Education
Every seminarian is formed not only through study, but through prayer, service, and community—preparing him to be a shepherd after the heart of Christ.
Each man formed to be a priest has a unique journey through seminary. Some men discern right after high school, others after receiving a traditional undergraduate degree, and some men follow a different path entirely.
For Men Who Do Not Yet Have a Bachelor’s Degree
You’ll begin with what’s called the Propaedeutic Stage—a year focused on prayer, brotherhood, and spiritual maturity. It’s a time to build a strong foundation before academic formation begins.
After that, you’ll enter a college seminary program and work toward a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. This usually takes about three to four years, as many students complete the Propaedeutic Stage and their degree in a total of four years.
Then, you’ll move on to major seminary, where you’ll study theology for four more years and continue to grow spiritually, pastorally, and intellectually.
For Men With a Bachelor’s Degree
You’ll begin with the Propaedeutic Stage as well—a focused year of spiritual and human formation to prepare for seminary life.
From there, you’ll complete a two-year philosophy program at the graduate level to meet the Church’s academic requirements.
Then, you’ll begin four years of theological studies at major seminary, continuing a life of prayer, diving deeper into the Church’s teachings, learning to preach, and discerning your call to serve God’s people.
The Transitional Diaconate
In your final year of major seminary, if you and the Church are confident in your call, you’ll be ordained a transitional deacon, a step just before priesthood.
As a deacon, you’ll preach, baptize, witness marriages, serve the poor, and assist at the altar. It’s a powerful year of service and preparation before being ordained a priest.
A Pastoral Year
Some seminarians are assigned a pastoral year partway through their formation. This means stepping out of the classroom and into a parish living and working alongside a priest, immersing yourself in daily ministry, and continuing to discern God’s call in real-world pastoral settings.
A pastoral year offers hands-on experience, time to grow in maturity and confidence, and a clearer sense of what priestly life is really like.
Meet Our Seminarians
The Diocese of Charleston is blessed with a growing number of men who have answered the call to discern a vocation to the priesthood. These seminarians come from diverse backgrounds and regions across South Carolina, united by a deep love for Christ and a desire to serve His Church.
