Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

152 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

integrates the other dimensions. Human formation enables priests to be bridges to communicate Jesus Christ, a pastoral function. Spiritual formation enables priests to persevere in and give depth to their ministry. Intellectual formation provides criteria and content to ensure that pastoral efforts are directed correctly, properly, and effectively.

PROPAEDEUTIC STAGE BENCHMARKS

373. Seminarians in the propaedeutic stage should develop “the dynamic of self-giving through experiences in the parish setting and char itable works.” 452 Hands-on experiences that include contact with the poor are appropriate at this stage. Benchmarks in the pastoral dimension include an awareness of the pastoral situation of the local community or ecclesiastical entity, as well as an awareness of the multicultural reality of the Church in the United States and the nature of the Universal Church. Priests serving in the United States, regardless of their cultural back ground, often serve in a multicultural setting. Working toward cultural competency, including language competency, to meet pastoral needs in his diocese should be part of the formation a seminarian receives during the propaedeutic stage, so as to lay a solid foundation for continued formation in cultural competency in later stages. 453 Pastoral charity is at the heart of the Church and the priesthood; so demonstrating a genuine concern for others, a spirit of generosity, and a developing habit of self-donation are also necessary benchmarks to be achieved prior to the seminarian’s accep tance into the discipleship stage.

DISCIPLESHIP STAGE BENCHMARKS

374. “As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, the nature and mission of priests must be understood within the Church, the People of

452 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 59. 453 Useful resources for formation in cultural competency include USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love—A Pastoral Letter Against Racism (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2018); USCCB Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs, under the direction of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2018); USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2014); USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, Best Practices for Shared Parishes: So That They May All Be One (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2013).