Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 370

Pastoral Dimension

Church’s social justice ministry. In these and other ways, he revisits his formation and views it through the lens of practice, application, and impact. 446 h. An initiation to various practical, pastoral experiences, especially in parishes : It is important not to sacrifice human, spiritual, and intellectual formation for practical experience. Still, it is essential to cultivate pastoral formation and to enhance and integrate the other dimensions of formation so that the seminarian has opportunities to experience pastoral life firsthand. 447 Seminaries must initiate seminarians into pastoral experiences and pastoral reflection in a variety of ways including concurrent field placements and internships. In the vocational synthesis stage, reflection with the pastoral team at his assignment and with his formators will help the newly ordained deacon to synthesize and strengthen the integration of all he has experienced in formation. Whatever the setting, it is necessary that it facilitates learning. It is also necessary that there be a guide, mentor, or teacher who accompanies the seminarian and helps him to learn from the experience. In addition, there must be a skilled priest supervisor who helps the seminarian enter into the specifically priestly dimension of the ministry. 448 In these experiences, the seminarian first enters the scene as an observer, then raises questions to understand what is happening, and finally relates it to his other formation. He should then practice or try to do what the situation requires. After that, he can profit from supervision that helps him to assess what happened and gives him feedback. A process of theological reflection follows that identifies the faith assumptions and convictions underlying both the situation and the ministerial response. Theological reflection thus provides an 446 The goal is “to help the seminarian to acquire the inner freedom to live the apostolate as service, able to see the work of God in the hearts and lives of the people.” Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 119. 447 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 58; CCEO, c. 353. 448 See CIC, c. 258.

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