Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

Intellectual Dimension

261. There is a reciprocal relationship between spiritual and intellec tual formation. The intellectual life nourishes the spiritual life, but the spiritual also opens vistas of understanding, in accordance with the clas sical adage credo ut intelligam (I believe in order to understand). Intellectual formation is integral to what it means to be human. “To ensure the adequate intellectual formation of future priests, all disciplines must be taught in such a way as to make their intimate connection stand out clearly, avoiding fragmentation. It is to be a unified, integral journey, in which each subject is an important ‘tile in the mosaic’ for presenting the mystery of Christ and the Church, and for allowing an authentic Christian vision of man and the world to mature.” 332 The basic principle of intellectual formation for seminarians is noted in Pastores Dabo Vobis : “For the salvation of their brothers and sisters they should seek an ever deeper knowledge of the divine myster ies.” 333 Disciples are learners. The first task of intellectual formation is to acquire a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fullness and completion of God’s Revelation and the one Teacher. This saving knowledge is not acquired only once but rather is continuously appropri ated and deepened, so that it becomes more and more part of the disciple. Seminary intellectual formation assumes and prolongs the catechesis and mystagogia that is to be part of every Christian’s journey of faith. At the same time, this knowledge is not simply for personal possession but is destined to be shared in the community of faith; that is why it is “for the salvation of their brothers and sisters.” Intellectual formation has an apos tolic and missionary purpose and finality. In the seminary program, intellectual formation culminates in a deepened understanding of the mysteries of faith that is pastorally 262. 263. 264.

332 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 153. 333 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 51.