Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 252

Program of Priestly Formation

the Sacrament of Penance with individual confession and absolution should be scheduled regularly, especially during Advent and Lent. The seminary must schedule frequent opportunities at various times during the week and encourage the individual celebration of the Sacrament of Penance. In addition to regular confessors, the seminary should ensure that other confessors for the Sacrament of Penance are available on a regular basis. 318 A priest who has sole responsibility for external formation is not to hear seminarians’ confessions. Opinions of the spiritual director or confessor of a seminarian may never be sought regarding his advancement. 319 Each seminarian is encouraged to have a regular confessor, who fittingly is also his spiritual director, with whom he can be completely honest and fully manifest his conscience, and from whom he can receive ongoing guidance. 320 This is not meant to limit the seminarian’s liberty, since he is always free to approach other confessors, whether in the seminary or outside it. 321 The seminary program and spiritual direction should teach seminarians to value solitude and personal prayer as a necessary part of priestly spirituality. Occasions for silence and properly directed solitude should be provided during retreats and days of recollection. An atmosphere of quiet should be provided within the seminary community on a daily basis to ensure an environment conducive for prayer. Conferences, days of recollection, workshops, and retreats should be well organized and sponsored by the seminary and should form a whole and coherent program of spiritual formation. An annual retreat lasting at least five days must take place during the configuration stage. 322

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318 See CIC, c. 240 §1; CCEO, c. 339 §2. 319 See CIC, c. 240 §2; CCEO, c. 339 §3. 320 See CIC, c. 246 §4. 321 See CIC, c. 240 §1; CCEO, c. 339 §2. 322 See CIC, c. 1039; CCEO, c. 772.

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