Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

102 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

used for the good, peaceably and in a way that expresses the trust invested in God’s priests. p. Solidarity : The post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in America identified the critical importance of the path of solidarity for the Church in the Americas.

“Solidarity is thus the fruit of the communion which is grounded in the mystery of the Triune God, and in the Son of God who took flesh and died for all. It is expressed in Christian love which seeks the good of others, especially of those most in need.” For the particular Churches of the American continent, this is the source of a commitment to reciprocal solidarity and the sharing of the spiritual gifts and material goods with which God has blessed them, fostering in individuals a readiness to work where they are needed. 302

This means that seminarians are to have a spiritual formation grounded in Trinitarian communion that leads them to solidarity with others, especially those most in need; to a commitment to justice and peace; to a reciprocal exchange of spiritual and mate rial gifts; and to an authentic missionary spirit, expressed in a willingness to serve where needed. q. Solitude : Spiritual formation must not neglect the art of “being alone with God,” moving the man from being alone or lonely to entering a holy solitude in communion with God. r. A life of discernment : The Ratio Fundamentalis describes well how all of these means of spiritual growth help the seminarian to establish a life of discernment: “The gradual inner growth along the journey of formation should principally be aimed at making the future priest a ‘man of discernment,’ able to read the reality of human life in the light of the Spirit.” This discernment applies first to one’s personal life: “It is necessary to integrate one’s own personal situation and history into the spiritual life. . . . Discern ing one’s life according to the Gospel means cultivating every day a deep spiritual life, so as to receive it and interpret it with full responsibility and a growing trust in God, directing the heart

302 Ecclesia in America , no. 52.