Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

CHAPTER 1: PRIESTLY LIFE | 17

41. Without a humble acknowledgment of our shortcomings, we will find it impossible to embrace an attitude that is receptive to true, ongoing formation. A mature and responsible priest is attentive to the gaps in his formation and flaws in his character. He takes the initiative to address them. When they are pointed out by others—whether family members, friends, the people he serves, fellow collaborators in the vineyard, or his brother priests or bishop—he responds with gratitude. In fact, he invites such feed back, especially from his priest friends and from his mentors, particularly his spiritual director. In this way, he makes himself accountable to others and opens paths for ongoing growth in all areas of his life. Each priest is an individual. One of the purposes of this docu ment is to survey the landscape of ongoing formation in order to assist a priest in assessing his own formation needs. It may be that his interior life has grown cold and superficial, or that his intellectual life has atro phied since his more studious days in the seminary. Perhaps his pastoral ministry has ceased being a source of joy and renewal. He might wish to rekindle his battle against certain temptations. Maybe the priest realizes his need for better interpersonal or listening skills, for more detachment from devices and digital media, or for more authentic friendships. He may need to make a renewed effort to reach out to those on the peripheries, such as the poor, migrants, and refugees. Whatever his formation needs are, he will want to make a deep examination that will require self-knowl edge, the courage to change, and openness to healing and grace. These, too, are essential elements of a priest’s self-identity if he is to build a habit of ongoing formation. Committing ourselves to ongoing formation can be arduous. It would be easier simply to coast through our priesthood without ever chal lenging ourselves to keep growing. But living organisms that do not grow do not produce. This undertaking, difficult as it may be, is a means to flourish as a priest, as a Christian, and as a man. It is the road where we will contin ually meet the Lord, ever eager for our true good, and hence it is the way to genuine joy. 42. 43.