Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

72 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

166. Seminarians are accountable for all aspects of priestly formation within the four dimensions of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. This accountability includes participation in spiritual exercises, the spiritual direction program, liturgical exercises, and community life as well as the intellectual and pastoral dimensions of priestly formation. This approach is taken because all the aspects of priestly formation are “intimately interwoven and should not be separated from one another.” 212 “The concept of integral formation is of the greatest importance, since it is the whole person, with all that he is and all that he possesses, who will be at the Lord’s service in the Christian community.” 213 A seminarian’s self-evaluation can be a valuable instrument. Seminarians should prepare such evaluations with an honest and candid examination of themselves in the areas of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. They should recognize their strengths and weak nesses, their positive qualities as well as their areas of needed growth. It is the responsibility of the seminarian to show positive qualities that recom mend his advancement in formation. This self-evaluation is done best in consultation with a priest formator. Peer evaluations are recommended as helpful in the evalua tion process. Such evaluations must be conducted in a responsible and confidential manner. Seminarians completing peer evaluations should be exhorted to do so with honesty and in a spirit of charity. Positive or nega tive opinions concerning the suitability of a peer for advancement should be expressed clearly. The seminary should require an evaluation of a seminarian’s pastoral activities from his appropriate supervisor. This report should give attention to all dimensions of formation. The evaluative process culminates in a yearly written report from the rector to the diocesan bishop or major superior that provides a clear estimation of the seminarian’s progress in the areas of human, spir itual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. 214 The annual report should include the results of the vote of the community of formators regarding 167. 168. 169. 170.

212 Association of Theological Schools (ATS), The Commission of Accrediting, General Institutional Standards , 3.1.1. 213 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 92. 214 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 204.