Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

HUMAN DIMENSION | 85

and to foster the sincere gift of self, opening him to generous dedication to others.” 255 During the discipleship stage, the seminarian continues to learn how to integrate his own self-awareness into a desire to grow in affective maturity as he relates to others in the seminary community. Self-awareness can lead to self-acceptance, self-possession, and eventually to self-gift, as seen in his relational skills. In addition to demonstrating appropriate boundaries, by the end of this stage he will have the ability to self-reflect on and communicate appropriately emotions surrounding conflict and stress; he exhibits deep ening friendships with other seminarians and manifests growth in the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. He demonstrates growth in the admirable human qualities of humility, chastity, constancy, sincerity, patience, good manners, truthfulness, keeping his word, grati tude, affability, liberality, meekness, magnanimity, and perseverance. He exhibits racial sensitivity in his words and actions. Regarding self-discipline, he develops the tools to manage stress and maintain balance in his life, as well as the ability to use freedom with prudence and discretion. He has greater awareness of the dynamics of his family of origin, and he shares that knowledge appropriately. He exhibits growing transparency with his formators, an openness to formation, and accountability regarding seminary expectations. The Church needs and deserves healthy priests. By the comple tion of the discipleship stage, the seminarian demonstrates discipline with his personal and communal horarium (e.g., having a regular bedtime and being on time to events) and is developing an exercise regimen or partic ipating in some form of communal exercise. He has demonstrated growth in addressing any health concerns, such as unhealthy weight or unhealthy habits. 256 By the end of the discipleship stage, the seminarian is able to regulate his personal use of social media, gaming, and the internet, and he understands and practices healthy alternatives to the overuse of media. 193. 194. 195. 196.

255 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 63. 256 Some examples of unhealthy habits are the poor use of time; excessive engagement with social media, gaming, television, or other forms of entertainment; and lack of discipline regarding monetary spending habits.