Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

50 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

102. To arrive at the necessary depth of formation, conversations between the formator and the seminarian should normally occur about once a month. 159 Just as it is beneficial for seminarians to remain with the same spiritual director for longer periods of time, it is preferable that one formator work with the seminarian in the external forum throughout each particular stage of formation. When possible it is advantageous for a seminarian to have the same formator for even longer than one stage of formation.

103.

The Church is clear about the importance of the role of this priest

formator and the needed formation for it:

The formator must exercise discretion when it comes to the lives of seminarians. Each formator should be possessed of human, spiritual, pastoral and professional abilities and resources, so as to provide the right kind of accompaniment that is balanced and respectful of the freedom and the conscience of the other person, and that will help him in his human and spiritual growth. Moreover, those who are marked out to become forma tors need a specific preparation and generous dedication to this important task. Formators are needed who can ensure their full-time presence and who, above all else, are witnesses of how to love and serve the people of God, giving themselves without reserve for the Church. 160

THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

104. Seminarians must meet regularly with a priest spiritual director, normally biweekly. 161 Spiritual directors must be chosen freely from a list prepared by the coordinator of spiritual formation. They should have proper training and adequate credentials for the work. These priests must be approved by the rector and appointed by the competent authority. 162 In the case of seminarians for an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, the formation director or competent authority of the

159 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 46. 160 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 49. 161 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 107. 162 See CIC, c. 239 §2; CCEO, c. 339 §1.