Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 179

Chapter 4: Spiritual Formation

confessors and spiritual directors. Meeting this need might mean offering formal training in spiritual direction for local, trusted priests or inviting outside priestly help from nearby dioceses or religious orders. For areas that are more sparsely populated, meeting this need might involve regional cooperation among adjacent dioceses. Remote spiritual direction can be a good option. Helping priests find good spiritual directors fosters their ongoing spiritual formation. 152 The diocesan bishop’s personal witness of receiving spiritual direction himself is also invaluable, together with his regular encouragement that priests do the same. 178 In addition, priest study days and priest gatherings can always include some time in prayer, perhaps concelebration of Mass with the bishop, time in Adoration of the Eucharist, or celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours in common. These practices set a tone of prayerfulness for a presbyterate. 179 Last, to foster prayerful time away for priests, singly or in groups, some dioceses have made available a house of prayer. Such a refuge can offer priests a place to rest, pray, and detach from devices, email, social media, and other distractions so that they can focus more intentionally on their relationship with God—the goal of spiritual formation.

152 It can be difficult in some circumstances for a priest to find a spiritual director. In such cases, asking the Lord to provide and trusting in his providence are appropriate.

81