Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Program of Priestly Formation

God’s truth and love in the likeness of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and eternal High Priest.

PROPAEDEUTIC STAGE BENCHMARKS One of the primary objectives of the propaedeutic stage is to provide an introduction to the spiritual life and to develop a solid foundation in the seminarian’s life of prayer. Those elements in the spiritual dimension to be achieved prior to beginning the discipleship stage include growth in prayer and the spiritual life (e.g., elementary discipline in public and private prayer, interest in and attention to spiritual direction, understanding of the importance of silence, and a growing habit of silence), growth in an understanding of the celibate life (e.g., ability to articulate the Church’s understanding of the promise of celibacy and the spiritual motivation for celibacy, growth in the virtue of chastity, and growth in the habit of healthy solitude), growth in the understanding of the priestly vocation, the ability to articulate a relationship with Jesus Christ, and growth in reading and meditating on Sacred Scripture. DISCIPLESHIP STAGE BENCHMARKS In the discipleship stage, the seminarian demonstrates a growing openness to the Holy Spirit as the primary agent of formation in his life; he recognizes God’s grace enabling him to grow and discern with the grateful assistance of his formators. The seminarian continues to learn from Christ the Good Shepherd to do as he does. His deepening friendship with Jesus Christ and his understanding of the Good Shepherd’s call to ordained ministry will allow him to enter the next stage confident in his vocation to the priesthood. He develops greater insight into why he feels God is calling him to the priesthood and why he desires priesthood.

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