Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

18 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

tional deacon experiences a life of self-giving in a pastoral setting, as he begins the transition to full-time ministry. This journey of discipleship and growth in Christian faith and service continues after ordination with ongoing formation, in which the ordained priest seeks an ever-deepening conformity to Christ under the guidance of the diocesan bishop or competent authority of the institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life and in fraternal communion with the diocesan presbyterate and, in the case of nondiocesan priests, the presbyterate within his community. 52 The human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions of formation are present in each stage and “must be seen through a unifying lens. . . . Together, these dimensions give shape and structure to the iden tity of the seminarian and the priest, and make him capable of that ‘gift of self to the Church,’ which is the essence of pastoral charity. The entire journey of formation must never be reduced to a single aspect to the detri ment of others, but it must always be an integrated journey of the disciple called to priesthood.” 53 Community is an integral aspect of formation. 54 The gift of voca tion appears in a Christian community; it is fostered and developed in the seminary community, with a view to serving the People of God in the community of the presbyterate. 55 The community of formators serves as a living model for the wider seminary community by “sharing a common responsibility, with due regard to the duties and the office entrusted to each member.” 56 Finally, the missionary aspect of formation emerges from the ecclesial dimension of the ministerial priesthood, directed toward the growth of the Church. “Formation is clearly missionary in character. Its goal is participation in the one mission entrusted by Christ to His Church, that is evangelization, in all its forms.” 57 33. 34. 35. 36.

52 “Every priest should always feel that he is a disciple on a journey, constantly needing an integrated for mation, understood as a continuous configuration to Christ.” Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3. 53 Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3. 54 See Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3. 55 See Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3. 56 Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3. 57 Ratio Fundamentalis , Introduction, no. 3.