"The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery of one's vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfill one's mission"
(Christifideles Laici 58).

Programs of study and formation opportunities for laymen and women at Sacred Heart Major Seminary (SHMS) are based on the ministerial competencies published by the National Association for Lay Ministry. These competencies form the basis for the certifcation of ministers in the Archdiocese of Detroit, with whom SHMS collaborates in preparing leaders for ministerial service within the Church. The competencies are designated as personal (which includes spiritual), theological, and professional. Growth in these competencies is nurtured in part by coursework in theology, but also through other formation opportunities. The paradigm for formation is found in the components of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree, but elements of these components are available to all students.

The admission process at SHMS is formational in itself. Students submit a biographical essay highlighting experiences of personal and spiritual growth. Students are expected to be involved in some form of ministry. Both the recommendation form, completed by a professional minister who knows the candidate, and the interview with an admissions officer help potential students to discern their capacity for ministry, as well as their gifts and growth areas.

Counseling
Professional counseling is available to Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students requiring such services. The need for counseling services may be recognized by the individual M.Div. student himself or by the seminary. The Formation Team normally handles any request or recommendation for professional counseling on the part of an individual M.Div. candidate.

Eucharistic Celebration
The seminary community welcomes to the main chapel individuals or groups who wish to participate in the weekday Eucharistic celebration at 12 Noon Monday through Friday. The liturgies are prepared and implemented by members of the seminary community. Those joining the celebration do so as guests who are invited to pray in the spirit and customs of the community.

Formation Days
The Institute for Ministry (IFM) sponsors three formation days each year on the topics of Discernment, Theological Reflection, and Spiritual Direction. The three days are required for students in the Basic Diploma in Pastoral Ministry program and the A.A.M Degree (Associate of Arts in Ministry), but the sessions are open to all students. The content of these sessions fosters theological understanding of our faith tradition. Reflection through these disciplines also nurtures personal and spiritual growth.

Retreats
Students in the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program have a yearly overnight retreat. The IFM also maintains a list of local retreat centers with pertinent information about retreat opportunities. All students are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits of retreats for their personal and spiritual growth.

"We urge that theological education and formation be extended to more lay persons…Innovative ways must be found to bring the best of the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition to more laity…The Church needs a well-educated,inquiring, and vocal laity if the new evangelization is to achieve its full potential."
(Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, USCCB)

Spiritual Direction
The IFM maintains and distributes a list of trained spiritual directors to all students requesting it. We encourage students to be in spiritual direction, especially those discerning a call to ministry.