About the House of Formation

The Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation is a place of residence for single, Catholic men who are discerning a call to the priesthood in the Diocese of Trenton.

The house is located in Trenton, NJ, at the rectory of Sacred Heart Church, home of the oldest Catholic parish in the State of New Jersey.

Founded by Most Rev. John M. Smith in October 2000, the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation has been home to more than two dozen men in discernment, many of whom are now priests of the diocese.

Over the past eight years, the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation has served as:

A House of Discernment:

Men live at the House of Formation who are still working in the secular world or attending college but desire to take a closer look at the priesthood.

A House of Continuing Formation:

Men who have already attended seminary may also live at the House of Formation. This applies to those who may be on a pastoral year from the seminary, taking temporary leave from studies or taking a year as transitional deacon prior to being ordained a priest. Seminarians also reside at the House of Formation during the summer as further preparation for the priesthood.

A House of Enculturation:

Seminarians from Colombia and Mexico come to serve as future priests for the Diocese of Trenton. Before entering one of the seminaries, it is necessary they learn English and become familiar with our culture. During this time of transition, many have come to live and learn at Sacred Heart.