Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

4 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

anyone who teaches courses, clergy and laity. The term “specialist” refers to a member of the formative community who is engaged in a specialized field (e.g., psychologist, counselor, librarian, business manager, and so on). The term “formative community” refers broadly to the larger community within the Church that is involved in varied ways in the discernment and initial formation of men preparing for the priesthood. It refers to the bishop and his priests and collaborators in the diocese and to all members of the seminary community, including priest formators, professors, special ists, other seminary staff, and above all, the seminarians themselves. It also refers to those engaged with the seminarian in his pastoral place ments. Finally, it includes his family, parish, and others who are involved in his vocational journey. For members of an institute of consecrated life or a society of apostolic life, the term “formative community” includes members of his institute or society. The term “seminary community” is narrower in meaning and refers specifically to the community of semi narians, priest formators, professors, specialists, and other seminary staff. The term “community of formators” is limited to those priests, both in the external forum and internal forum, who are engaged with the semi narian in his formation. The term “formator” is limited to priests. The term “biweekly” refers to an event that occurs every other week. Care has been taken in this document to limit the use of prescrip tive and exhortative language to two terms. The word “must” means that an action is required. Authorization from the competent authority is required for an exception from following the required course of action. The word “should” means that an action is highly recommended, such that a nonarbitrary reason is necessary for the decision not to pursue this course of action. 9.