Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

SEMINARIES | 177

education supervisors, who work directly with the seminarians in their pastoral assignments. Specialists 512 Priest formators are assisted by permanent deacons, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful who, in addition to their outstanding “human qualities and competence in their field,” are people of profound faith. They provide “valuable and professional assistance” in the work of priestly formation. 513 Seminarians benefit from the mentorship of specialists who are permanent deacons, consecrated men and women, and laypersons. 514 Specialists serve as mentors only according to their proper expertise. They offer recommendations, opinions, and points of view to the rector and formation team, without making a formal judgment as to the suitability of the seminarians for the priesthood or advancement to the next stage of formation. 515 Seminaries should seek ways to fully integrate these mento ring relationships into the communal life of the seminary so that they have a genuine impact on the formation of the seminarians. These relationships add another facet of accompaniment to priestly formation distinct from spiritual direction and external formation advising, which are always done by priests. Academic Dean The academic dean, under the direction of the coordinator of intellectual formation, administers the academic program of the seminary in all its aspects: curriculum, courses, methods of instruction, and the academic quality and performance of professors and students. 459. 460. 461.

512 The list of specialists that follows is not meant to be exhaustive but gives description and guidance regarding some common specialist positions a seminary could employ. 513 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 146.

514 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 143. 515 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 146.