Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Spiritual Dimension

significant, even deep, relationships with other persons and with God, since he is to be a “man of communion.” 304

Intellectual formation contributes to spiritual formation by helping the seminarian grow in the love of the truth, who is the person of Jesus Christ. This love gives the seminarian the capacity to discern and understand his interior life within the life of the Church and her Tradition. Growth in knowledge of God and of his saving works can strengthen the seminarian’s faith, hope, and charity. Likewise, the study of the traditions and the experiences of faith among the saints and the People of God serves to deepen one’s own spiritual journey. Pastoral formation is intimately linked with spiritual formation. In the process of spiritual formation, men are formed to receive the love of God in such a way that they desire to share that love by making a gift of their entire lives. As their hearts are gradually formed in the image of Christ, the Good Shepherd and Bridegroom, their interior life becomes a source of pastoral charity that enables them to lay down their lives generously in service of others. “This intimate relationship forms the heart of the seminarian in that generous and sacrificial love that marks the beginning of pastoral charity.” 305 In this the seminarian learns to eschew any false independence in his labors and to live the words of Jesus: “without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). It is important that spiritual formation is integrated with the other three dimensions of formation such that all formation allows the future priest to embrace pastoral charity as central to his ministry. 306 Human, intellectual, and pastoral formation are equally indispensable in developing the seminarian’s relationship and communion with God and his ability to communicate to others, in pastoral charity, 304 “The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest.” Catechism of the Catholic Church , no. 1397. 305 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 101. 306 See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 14.

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