Seminarian Formation

The Office of Seminarian Formation works in conjunction with the Office of Vocation Promotion and the Bishop's Office to ensure that men studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Syracuse are adequately equipped and formed to be faithful, holy priests.

This office serves as a liaison between the Diocese of Syracuse and the seminarians and various seminaries used by the diocese to educate men for the priesthood. The diocese, working with various seminaries, follows the Program for Priestly Formation (PPF) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), helping the seminarian to be formed by way of the "four pillars of priestly formation" (from Pastores Dabo Vobis - I Will Give You Shepherds - St. John Paul II, 1995) - Human, Intellectual, Pastoral, and Spiritual formation.

Father Richard Prior

Director of Seminarian Formation

Father Prior graduated with a Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD, and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Syracuse in 2001. He has served in a number of parish assignments, which have led to his current role as Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Endicott and Our Lady of Sorrows in Vestal. In August 2025, Bishop Lucia appointed him Director of Seminarian Formation.

Currently, the Diocese of Syracuse works with the following seminaries to form men for the priesthood:

Major Seminary

• Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts
• Theological College at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland
• Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland

Seminarian Review Committee

The role of the Seminarian Review Committee is to work with the Director of Seminarian Formation to review prospective candidates for the priesthood and those already in formation for the priesthood. The committee is made up of the Bishop, priests, a religious sister, and a lay woman. All bring a unique perspective as to how the seminarian can grow, not only in his formation for the priesthood, but in his relationship with the Diocesan Church.

Article: How diocesan seminaries are selected, formed for priesthood