Aquinas College Celebrates Third Cohort of Certificate of Propaedeutic Studies
Posted on Friday, April 24, 2026
Aquinas College marked a significant moment in priestly formation with a ceremony celebrating the completion of the third cohort of the Certificate of Propaedeutic Studies, a one‑year program offered in partnership with the Diocese of Nashville. The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville, presided at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and was present for the presentation of certificates.
This past academic year, twelve seminarians pursued propaedeutic studies at Aquinas College: Savannah Bonty, Benjamin Claiborne, Ryan Delgatto, Emmanuel Ezechukwu, Frank Gallagher, Griffin Gartner, Jason Koenemann, Mary Augustus Ndubuisi, Szymon Sierzega, Matthew Walker, Pablo Oseil Garcia Gomez, and Sean McDevitt. The Certificate of Propaedeutic Studies was developed in response to the Church’s renewed emphasis on the propaedeutic year as a distinct and foundational phase of seminarian formation—one that prioritizes human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation as men more deeply discern a call to the priesthood.
Rooted in Aquinas College’s Dominican mission and charism, the program offers a structured academic and formational environment while seminarians live, pray, study, and serve within the broader college community. Coursework includes Sacred Scripture, literature, Spanish, and a supervised internship in parish and priestly ministry, introducing seminarians to the rhythms and responsibilities of pastoral life.
Sister Cecilia Anne, O.P., President of Aquinas College, expressed gratitude for the continued collaboration with the Diocese of Nashville and for the growth of the program over its first three years. “This propaedeutic year stands as the fruit of a strong partnership between the Diocese of Nashville and Aquinas College—one rooted in a shared commitment to forming men whose lives are grounded in prayer, disciplined by study, enriched by community, and ordered toward service,” Sister Cecilia Anne said.
One highlight of this year’s academic program emerged from the seminarians’ Spanish course, taught by Sister Mary Johanna, O.P. As a recent class assignment, each seminarian in the class delivered his vocation or conversion story entirely in Spanish, speaking from memory and without notes. The assignment challenged the men not only linguistically, but pastorally, inviting them to articulate the personal story of God’s work in their lives with clarity, confidence, and humility.
Throughout the year, the seminarians also became an integral part of campus life at Aquinas College, enriching the community through their prayerful presence, academic engagement, and service. Faculty and staff observed notable growth in discipline, fraternity, and self‑knowledge—hallmarks of a fruitful propaedeutic year.
“It has indeed been a joy to participate with the Diocese and our seminarians in this nascent stage of priestly formation. Over the past three years, the seminarians have brought a fresh perspective of the love of Christ to our community. We are blessed to consider the seminarians an indispensable part of the Aquinas College student body, and soon, as alumni.” expressed Dr. Bill Smart, Vice President of Academics at Aquinas College in his opening comments at the certificate ceremony.
The presentation of certificates marks the conclusion of an important chapter in each man’s vocational journey, though not its end. Following the propaedeutic year, seminarians move forward to the next stage of formation with greater readiness and freedom to continue discerning God’s will.
