Thomas Aquinas in Intellectual Formation: Philosophy

Abstract: In light of the newly-published sixth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation, and other ecclesial documents, this essay offers reflections on philosophy's role in seminary formation. It discusses the value of requiring seminarians to study philosophy at all, and the value of requiring them to study St. Thomas's philosophy in particular. Philosophy prepares a priest to study theology, but it aids his pastoral ministry in ways that go well beyond this. The paper also addresses dangers involved with putting an emphasis on St. Thomas.