Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

Introduction

1. One of the warmest friendships in all Scripture is that between St. Paul and St. Timothy. Paul had known Timothy from his youth and was like a father to him. “I yearn to see you again,” Paul wrote to him, “recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you” (2 Tm 1:4-5). St. Timothy spent years in the company of St. Paul during his missionary voyages, being formed in the faith and in apostolic ministry. Eventually Paul left Timothy in Ephesus as a newly ordained bishop, but he continued to reach out to his spiritual son with paternal love and concern. Paul advised, inspired, and exhorted his “dear child” to live out the sacred office he received at his hands: “For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Tm 1:6-8). With Paul’s departure, Timothy was working on his own in the vineyard of the Lord. His initial period of formation was complete, but his continued growth was no less urgent. As he cared for souls and preached the Gospel, Timothy continued to mature as a man, deepen his interior life, conform himself to God’s will, expand his understanding of the faith, learn from his pastoral experience, and hone his capacity to preach and care for souls. Countless priests through the ages have had experiences like Timothy’s. Once their initial formation is complete, priests are sent into the vineyard to care for souls and preach the Gospel. Priests, often at a young age, are entrusted with weighty pastoral responsibilities, but they lack the structures of support that were present in their seminary community. As Paul foresaw in the life of Timothy, priests still find it necessary to “stir into flame the gift of God” that they received through the imposition of the bishop’s hands. 2. 3. 4.