Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

The Ongoing Formation of Priests

399. The stages of priestly formation can appropriately be viewed as an initiation to sacramental life, not unlike the process envisioned in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Just as the catechumen is intro duced into a lifetime relationship of missionary discipleship with Jesus Christ, so too—for the one who is being formed for a lifetime of priestly service in the Church—“the term ‘ongoing formation’ is a reminder that the one experience of discipleship of those called to priesthood is never interrupted.” 468 Sacramental preparation and initiation necessarily includes a period of postsacramental catechesis or mystagogia. Once cele brated, the sacraments are meant to be lived out, to be integrated into all dimensions of one’s life, and to be a source of continuing transforma tion. For those who prepare for priestly ordination and for those who serve the formational process, this pattern of sacramental initiation implies the analogous necessity of helping seminarians commit themselves whole heartedly to ongoing formation after ordination. The process and journey of the ongoing formation of priests are both necessary and lifelong. Their purpose is not only the spiritual growth of the priest himself but also the continued effectiveness of his mission and ministry. Only by continually conforming their interior lives and their ministry to the life of Jesus are priests able to live a lifetime of healthy discipleship. This cannot be done unless priests, through prayer, continue to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of Christ. 469 The basic principle of ongoing formation for priests is contained in Pastores Dabo Vobis : “one can speak of a vocation ‘within’ the priesthood. 400.

468 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 80. 469 “Pastoral charity demands that priests, if they are not to run in vain, should always work within the bond of union with the bishops and their fellow priests. If they act in this manner, priests will find unity of life in the unity of the Church’s own mission. In this way they will be united with their Lord and through him with the Father in the Holy Spirit, and can be filled with consolation and exceedingly abound with joy.” Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 14.