Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 223

Program of Priestly Formation

human formation, especially those appropriate to a life of celibacy, a life of simplicity, and a life of obedience.

The community of formators should provide the guidance and direction necessary to help seminarians meet the challenge of emotional and psychosexual growth. In the area of emotional and personal development, the best guidance the seminary formator can give is the wholesome witness of his own life. Seminarians need the example of outstanding priests who model a wholesome way of life in the challenging circumstances of contemporary society. Regularly coming together for prayer, recreation, and theological reflection encourages growth in priestly fraternity and enables priests to act more effectively as authentic role models. The entire seminary staff— composed of priests, consecrated men and women, and lay men and women—constitutes another significant group who can model collaboration for the seminarians. Ways to foster the unity of this larger circle should also be developed. The rector together with the coordinator of human formation should make provision for psychological and counseling services. He therefore ensures that those employed as counselors for seminarians are professionally licensed or certified; are well versed in and supportive of the Church’s expectations of seminarians, especially concerning celibacy; and will not encourage behaviors contrary to Church teachings. These services are made available to seminarians for their personal and emotional development as they prepare for the priesthood. The counseling that is given should be consistent with the policy and practice of the total seminary program. Counseling is often a helpful tool in human formation. Its role, however, should not be overestimated. While psychology and the human sciences are resources that can aid the process of human formation, they are not the same as human formation. Seminaries

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