Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

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Chapter 2: Ongoing Formation

friendly way.” 64 Episcopal means also include diocesan efforts such as priest convocations, retreats, days of recollection, and study days, as well as mentoring programs and many other ways that dioceses can support priests who wish to continue their formation. 65 84 Newly ordained priests require particular care as their priestly identity matures. They are encountering their first major challenges, and their initial enthusiasm is being tested. Without supervision and assistance, newly ordained priests can sometimes feel isolated and adrift. With the concern, availability, and ready assistance of the diocesan bishop, however, those first years can be a wonderful opportunity to grow and to chart a course in their priestly lives that will serve them, and the people they serve, for years to come. 66 Aids to Personal, Fraternal, and Episcopal Means 85 Apart from the three main sources of ongoing formation—personal, fraternal, and episcopal—regional and national organizations as well as countless grassroots efforts provide ongoing formation to priests. The opportunities afforded by the Internet, including digital platforms and virtual learning, have vastly expanded the reach of these efforts. In fact, the greater struggle today lies not in finding opportunities to grow, but rather in selecting well among the options 65 “It is desirable that this formation be promoted in each Diocese by a priest or group of priests, spe cifically prepared for it and officially appointed to assist in ongoing formation.” Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 82. “Obviously this must not make the Bishop and the entire presbyterate forget their grave re sponsibility in avoiding any loneliness caused by negligence with respect to priestly communion. It is incumbent upon the Diocese to decide how to hold encounters among priests so they may experience being together, learning from one another and being of assistance to one another, because no one is a priest all on his own, and exclusively in this communion with the Bishop may each priest render his service.” DMLP, no. 115. 66 “A positive experience in many places has also been the organization, under the guidance of the Bish op, of brief encounters during the year for young priests, for example, those with less than ten years of priesthood, in order to be closer by their side while accompanying them during these early years; they will undoubtedly be occasions as well to discuss the priestly spirituality, challenges for ministers, and pastoral praxis, etc., in settings of fraternal and priestly togetherness.” DMLP, no. 111. 64 PDV, no. 79.

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