St. Augustine’s Seminary Lay Spiritual Formation

Spirit & Life Series

Click image to download the calendar. Registration and further details on each event is posted on our events page.

Lay spiritual formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary is coordinated by the Seminary’s Institute of Theology. The Institute aims to assist in the formation of the laity by offering a range of academic programs and spiritual formation events. In this mission, the Institute aligns with the appeal of the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Pastoral Plan to promote education, catechesis, and formation in faith and holiness for those in all areas of society; to form and train those engaged in the intellectual apostolate, and to support an effective social outreach of justice and love.

In Catholic schools, parishes, families, and the many other areas of pastoral ministry, the work of the Church calls for collaboration between a well-formed clergy and laity. The Institute of Theology seeks to serve this mission.

In Pastores Dabo Vobis, Pope Saint John Paul II described the main dimensions of priestly formation as human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. Each dimension, while unique, is naturally related to the others. The four dimensions form the foundation of the formation that guides the journey of the candidate toward wholeness in Christ.

Affirming the universal call to holiness for all states of life, and the call to form lay leaders and ecclesial ministers, the Lay Spiritual Formation Program has been designed using the four dimensions of formation as a framework.

St. Augustine’s Seminary launched the Lay Spiritual Formation Program in September 2011. This is a non-credit program that is open to the public. Detailed information on these events and activities is published on our events page. We also maintain a mailing list to communicate directly with our regular participants who subscribe. Event registration is available through our Seminary website.

The Seminary offers several formation days each year. These days take place on Saturdays at the Seminary. Our days of formation address at least one of the following dimensions:

Human Formation

The purpose of Human Formation is to assist laypersons in their desire to become the best selves they can be, fully alive and whole. Human formation days explore the deeper meaning of authentic freedom, spiritual maturity, and self-awareness.

Spiritual Formation

In the area of Spiritual Formation, “specific events” (Advent and Lenten retreats) facilitate an opportunity for prayer, contemplation, and communal worship. These days are designed to encourage an encounter with God’s merciful love and desire to heal and restore us in Christ.

Intellectual Formation

In the area of Intellectual Formation, participants are offered days of Magisterium, deepening their understanding of the Church, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition, moral theology, bioethics, pastoral theology, and spirituality.

Pastoral Formation

In the area of Pastoral Formation, our participants are encouraged to enroll in workshops on a variety of pastoral issues: Pastoral Counselling, Pastoral Care, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and Adolescent Faith Development.

For more information regarding our Lay Spiritual Formation Program, please contact the office of the Institute of Theology at 416-261-7207 Ext. 235 or lay.formation@staugustines.on.ca.