Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 69

Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

69 Just as the integration of the four dimensions is vital in seminarians, ongoing formation strives to continue integrating the dimensions in priests. Each of the dimensions deserves our attention. If four rowers are pulling a boat, each needs to pull with equal force, or the boat makes little progress. Just so, if we focus exclusively on our continued spiritual development but ignore our pastoral growth, for instance, we risk becoming spiritual recluses and absentee fathers. If we focus on our pastoral work but ignore intellectual pursuits, our preaching and teaching can become superficial and stale. If we focus on academic studies but ignore the need for greater human maturity, we can become eccentric and off-putting. Each priest will want to tailor his personal plan for ongoing formation to meet his own needs, addressing his own weaknesses and building on his own strengths, without ever losing sight of his whole person. MEANS FOR ONGOING FORMATION 70 This Guide addresses each dimension of formation in its own chapter (chapters three through six), beginning with some objective markers in the life of a priest that reflect that chapter’s dimension. The markers of human formation, for example, are fruits that we should expect in our lives when we apply ourselves to growing in human maturity and virtue. After summarizing these markers, each chapter then considers specific approaches to ongoing formation that may be helpful for priests. These means of formation fall under three headings: personal, fraternal, and episcopal. When engaging these means, which are discussed in this section, we are always aware that they are occasions to avail ourselves of the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit, who is our primary formator. 49

following him.” Francis, Address to the Plenary of the Congregation for the Clergy, October 3, 2014. 49 See DMLP, nos. 9-12.

32