Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

128 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

THE VOCATIONAL SYNTHESIS STAGE

293. Intellectual formation during the vocational synthesis stage shifts to focus on ministerial application. Ongoing instruction and mentoring will help the transitional deacon to continue to grow as a preacher and teacher of the faith as he transitions into full-time ministry. 372 Liturgical and sacramental practica will help the man to develop ministerial compe tency in administering the sacraments and a proper ars celebrandi . Special attention can be given to prepare the deacon to be a minister of the Sacrament of Penance and help him to “translate the principles of moral theology in concrete cases, and to address the questions encountered in this delicate ministry with a merciful spirit.” 373 Pastoral instruction can be offered addressing various situations that will arise in the life of the priest, for example, marriage preparation and ministry to the grieving. The voca tional synthesis stage may include pastoral seminars as well as sacramental practica that the transitional deacon attends, or these seminars and prac tica may be given in the configuration stage. Given that the transitional deacon resides full-time in a pastoral setting, virtual meeting platforms may be useful during this stage. This stage will also see the deacon estab lishing a habit of individual study and ongoing intellectual formation that will serve him throughout his life as a priest. As the deacon nears completion of initial formation for the priesthood, the intellectual dimension of formation in this stage focuses on demonstrating competency in pastoral theology and its application in preaching, sacramental and pastoral ministry, and liturgical praxis. Regardless of whether continued meetings or seminars are required during limited visits to the seminary, it is important that the deacon demonstrate a commitment to continued growth in intellectual formation through personal study, workshops, and conferences. It is also important that he recognize and articulate areas for his personal ongoing intel lectual growth. 374 VOCATIONAL SYNTHESIS STAGE BENCHMARKS 294.

372 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 177. 373 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 178. 374 See CIC, c. 279; CCEO, c. 372.