Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

40 | GUIDE TO ONGOING FORMATION FOR PRIESTS

MARKERS OF THE HUMAN DIMENSION

HUMAN MATURITY

107. Maturity, meaning completeness or full development, is the over arching goal of all human formation. “Human maturity” refers to a life approaching a certain fullness, characterized by habits that lead to human flourishing and continued growth. A well-formed conscience directs the mature individual to his authentic good; a will strengthened by grace and good habits is capable of pursuing that good. 78 Psychological and emotional obstacles that hinder virtue are recognized and addressed. A mature person is steadfast and able to weather the storms of life, humbly seeking help when needed. A crucial aspect of maturity is affective, or emotional, matu rity. 79 An affectively mature person enjoys harmony between intellect and passions. Emotions are not ignored or repressed. Neither are they given free rein. Rather, they are acknowledged and considered. They are integrated into a larger identity that can judge the suitability of particular emotions at particular times and respond accordingly. The passions, in other words, are under the authority of reason, which harnesses their power and directs them toward our true good. Understanding the importance of maturity in a priest is not diffi cult. Pastoral work demands the stability of mind and heart that distin guishes a mature individual. Moreover, he needs enough resiliency to handle his own struggles while sharing, to some extent, the struggles of others. When a priest works with souls, many disclose strong feelings such as anger, sadness, and fear. If the priest has not handled those feelings well himself, he will find it challenging to help others do so. In addition, affective maturity is an indispensable ingredient in living celibacy appropriately. Such maturity represents a command of self that makes possible the self-gift of celibacy: “able to renounce anything that 108. 109. 110.

78 “This [due human maturity] will be chiefly attested by a certain stability of character, the ability to make carefully weighed decisions, and a sound judgment of events and people.” OT, no. 11. 79 “Human maturation: albeit difficult to specify in contents, this undoubtedly implies equilibrium and harmony in the integration of propensities and values, psychological and affective stability, prudence, objectivity in judgment, fortitude in self-control, sociability, etc.” DMLP, no. 93.