Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

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Chapter 2: Ongoing Formation

joy in the exercise of the ministry,” the DMLP states: “a decisive form of support in difficulties, and valuable help for growth in the pastoral charity which the priest must exercise in a particular way toward those confreres in difficulty and in need of understanding, assistance and support.” 58 This can include simple, unstructured time together; small groups, such as those following the Jesus Caritas model; theological or book discussion groups; 59 or established associations of priests. 60 80 New models of common priestly life are advancing as well. In areas where many parishes are served by single priests (that is, priests living alone in their parishes), they may be able to live in a single rectory and enjoy the benefits of common life without detracting from their individual service to their parishes. 61 Some priests, with the permission of their diocesan bishop, live under a formal rule of life while jointly serving a variety of apostolates assigned by their diocese. 62 Whether or not these options are available, priests in a 59 “Fraternal meetings: some priests organize fraternal meetings for prayer, perhaps by reading the Word of God together in the form of Lectio Divina , developing their understanding of some theological or pastoral theme, sharing a ministerial endeavor, helping one another or simply spending some time together. These meetings in their various forms are the simplest and most common expression of priestly fraternity. In any case, it is strongly desirable to promote them.” Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 88 (emphasis original). 60 “Its diverse modalities are to be encouraged according to possibilities and practical conditions, with out necessarily transferring the albeit praiseworthy models proper to the religious life. Worthy of praise in particular are those associations which support priestly fraternity, holiness in the exercise of the ministry, and communion with the Bishop and the entire Church.” DMLP, no. 39. See also CIC, c. 278. 61 “One cannot sufficiently recommend to priests a life lived in common and directed entirely toward their sacred ministry; the practice of having frequent meetings with a fraternal exchange of ideas, counsel and experience with their brother priests; the movement to form associations which encourage priestly holiness.” St. Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (On the Celibacy of the Priest) , June 24, 1967, no. 80. “Some practice of common life is highly recommended to clerics; where it exists, it must be preserved as far as possible.” CIC, c. 280. 62 “The experience of this common life has been rather positive in many places because it has represented a real form of support for priests: created is a family environment, with the permission of the local Ordinary it is possible to have a chapel for the Blessed Sacrament, and it is also possible to pray together, etc. . . . Many are the cases of priests who have found an important source of help for both their personal needs and the exercise of their pastoral ministry in the adoption of opportune forms of communitarian life.” DMLP, no. 39. 58 DMLP, no. 37.

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