Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

68 | GUIDE TO ONGOING FORMATION FOR PRIESTS

EPISCOPAL MEANS

176. Diocesan bishops and their diocesan resources can do much to promote the spiritual formation of priests. 150 One important way is by offering diocesan retreats and days of recollection. Finding suitable and engaging preachers is not always easy; and a diocesan bishop’s personal attention to those choices, perhaps by personally inviting potential retreat masters, can motivate priests to attend. With the efficiency of modern travel, priests can also attend clergy retreats further afield without much difficulty. Identifying and encouraging these options, especially those aimed specifically at diocesan priests, can help them fulfill the canonical requirement that priests spend several days away in prayer annually. 151 In light of that expectation, diocesan bishops might also consider asking each priest yearly to identify when and where he plans to make his retreat. On a more regular basis, diocesan bishops can cultivate the spiri tual growth of priests by identifying and making available suitable confes sors 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 cooper ation 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. 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 177. 178.

150 “In the present social context, the Bishop needs to remain particularly close to his flock and above all to his priests, showing a father’s concern for their ascetic and spiritual difficulties, and providing them with appropriate support to encourage them in fidelity to their vocation and to the requirements of an exem plary life in the exercise of the ministry.” St. John Paul II, Pastores Gregis (On the Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World) , October 16, 2003, no. 21, www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/ apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_20031016_pastores-gregis.html . See also Apostolorum Successores , no. 81. 151 See CIC, c. 276 §2, 4°. 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.