Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Pastoral Dimension

All four dimensions of formation are interwoven and go forward concurrently. Still, in a certain sense, pastoral formation is the culmination of the entire formation process. “The whole formation imparted to candidates for the priesthood aims at preparing them to enter into communion with the charity of Christ the good shepherd”; 430 therefore “priestly formation must be permeated by a pastoral spirit.” 431 The goal of pastoral formation is to form shepherds of God’s People; this goal requires men who are not self-centered, aloof, judgmental, or self-imposing but instead are characterized by a “serene openness” and capable of listening and collaboration. True shepherds must have a desire to understand the hearts of others and engage in attentive accompaniment. 432 In virtue of the sacramental character of Holy Orders, a priest is able to stand and act in the community in the name and person of Jesus Christ, Head and Shepherd of the Church. The fruitfulness of this sacramental character requires the personal and pastoral formation of the priest, who appropriates “the mind of Christ” and effectively communicates the mysteries of faith through his human personality as a bridge, through his personal witness of faith rooted in his spiritual life, and through his knowledge of faith. These dimensions of formation converge in pastoral formation. The basic principle of pastoral formation is enunciated in Pastores Dabo Vobis : “The whole training of the students should have as its 430 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 57. 431 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 119. 432 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 120. “The pastoral care of the faithful demands that the priest have a solid formation and interior maturity.” Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 41.

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