Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 229

Spiritual Dimension

simply meant for the personal enhancement of the seminarian but as a gift to be given in the course of his priestly mission and ministry for the benefit of the Church—for he is a servant of this body. k. Asceticism and penance : Spiritual formation initiates seminarians to a path of voluntary renunciation and self-denial that makes them more available to the will of God and more available to their people. Asceticism and the practice of penance is a path of learning to embrace the Cross and, in an apostolic context, a way of rendering priests unafraid to bear their “share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Tm 1:8). l. Obedience : The obedience of those in spiritual formation for priesthood must be characterized by the willingness to hear God, who speaks through his Word and through his Church, and to answer his call with generosity. It is also a surrender of one’s own will for the sake of the larger mission. In this regard, the seminarian must develop a growing and deepening solidarity with the Church established by Christ; a solidarity with Church teaching so as to be able to present that teaching with conviction—having appropriated it as true; and a solidarity with one’s diocesan bishop or superior to strengthen and sustain Church unity. 296 m. Celibacy : Spiritual formation in celibacy cultivates the evangelical motivations for embracing this commitment and way of life: the undivided love of the Lord, the spousal love for the Church, apostolic availability, and the witness to God’s promises and Kingdom. 297 A man in formation for ministry must demonstrate the necessary freedom and affective maturity. 298 296 See CIC, cc. 260, 273, 601; CCEO, c. 346 §2, 7°, and 370. 297 See CIC, c. 247 §1. “It is especially important that the priest understand the theological motivation of the Church’s law on celibacy. Inasmuch as it is a law, it expresses the Church’s will, even before the will of the subject expressed by his readiness. But the will of the Church finds its ultimate motivation in the link between celibacy and sacred ordination, which configures the priest to Jesus Christ the head and spouse of the Church. The Church, as the spouse of Jesus Christ, wishes to be loved by the priest in the total and exclusive manner in which Jesus Christ her head and spouse loved her. Priestly celibacy, then, is the gift of self in and with Christ to his Church and expresses the priest’s service to the Church in and with the Lord.” Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 29. See also Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 50. 298 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 110.

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