Formation at
The Seminary of the Gnostic Catholic Union
Office of Vocations
There are many types of belief systems within the
Gnostic Movement. Some use the same format
and worship forms as the Roman Catholic
Church, with some additional scriptures added.
Others will be more esoteric, offering Kabbalistic
ceremonies and writings. Many are somewhere in
between these extremes. However, there are many
commonalities that The Gnostic Catholic Union
seeks to present and develop its leadership.
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The gnostic formation is more than just molding or shaping a person into a uniform, rigid, religious professional. Inspiration for an individual seeking holy orders comes first from the Spirit. Most Gnostics are inclined to seek knowledge of the Spirit directly, feeling that something is missing in traditional orthodox spirituality. More than the average Gnostic, the person seeking Holy Orders within Gnosticism has developed deep insights, so much so that they want to teach and help others to discover the Spirit within.
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Education within The Gnostic Catholic Union Seminary seeks further insight into the direct experience of the Spirit and knowledge of Gnostic scripture. Unfortunately, many seminaries neglect individual spiritual development in favor of intellectual understanding and voluminous writing so much that spirituality is made into a compartmental paradigm instead of a spiritual experience. While scholarship is not neglected, the Gnostic Catholic clergy education process emphasizes the individual spiritual understanding of the clergy and the lay people to be served. We do not sterilize religion; we make it available. Our friends, the Orthodox Catholics, deleted critical writings like the Gospel of Thomas and others, which Gnostics have revived, offering a roadmap toward individual peak spiritual experience.
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Orthodox groups have tried to form a spiritual organization, while Gnostics have been more liberal and focused on inner Christianity. We seek to include many forms of Christianity instead of strictly dogged adherence. Clergy is well-educated in the various practices that preserved Gnostic thought over the centuries since this religion was forbidden. Gnostics have been erroneously accused of being elitist or esoteric in nature. This may have been seen to be the case since introspection and knowledge are promoted, but Gnosticism states that everyone has the Divine Spirit within. Due to persecution, Gnostic writings and practices had to be hidden, which lends itself to misperception of hidden or esoteric practice but was the only way to survive.
The ideal Gnostic clergy is a risk taker, communicator, and guidance provider. Unfortunately, gnosticism is still not widely accepted, so our clergy must be willing to put forth spiritual concepts not widely accepted by organized religion. The Gnostic Catholic Union Seminary prepares a person to communicate complex spiritual concepts in writing and orally. We are fortunate that the Holy Spirit refuses to be compartmentalized or sold, so we have the backing of both the Spirit and the original Christianity that has unsuccessfully been denied to the public for centuries. However, public teaching, sermons, and ceremonies are vital to spreading Gnosticism, which student clergy learn early in their seminary development. Opposing viewpoints and erroneous ideas about spiritual life must be dealt with through gentle, spiritual guidance and reasonable, thoughtful approaches. Jesus was not always well received, so Gnostic clergy must be prepared to face sometimes not-so-friendly opposition.
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Gnosticism has experienced a resurgence of interest in society. Various movies and the rediscovery of our scripture over the last decades have made it necessary to prepare clergy to address the spiritual needs of the public. While successful as a worldly organization, orthodox Christianity has not always met people's needs or assisted the Spirit within to emerge. The Gnostic Catholic Union seeks to educate clergy and inform the public of hidden Christianity, long suppressed but ready to re-emerge.
In the Light of the Logos,
Bishop Jason Jones, G.S.J., S.T.L., M.S., DMin., Ed.D.
Rector and Academic Dean of The Gnostic Catholic Union Seminary
A vocation to the priesthood is discovered and accepted within the seminary community. Seminarians, faculty, and staff work together to form a true formative community, sharing a common responsibility, with due regard to the duties and the office entrusted to each member.
From The Gift of the of the Priestly Vocation, no. 3.