Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 472

Program of Priestly Formation

that is, clerics, men and women in consecrated life, and laity—must therefore witness to the Gospel in their own lives.

The rector will determine the appropriate means of consulting professors in the process of evaluating seminarians.

472

Every professor influences seminarians’ growth in priestly maturity. Love for the Eucharist as a source and sign of unity within the seminary program must be clearly evident in the life and attitude of professors. Therefore, regular participation in seminary liturgies is encouraged. Some of the seminary professors share responsibility in all areas of the priestly formation program, including the spiritual and the pastoral formation of men. Priest professors, who also serve as spiritual directors and priest formators, should as a rule reside in the seminary (insofar as this is possible). It is important to recruit well-trained and experienced professors from diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. This is especially important in those sections of the United States in which the Church and seminary community reflect such diversity. If the seminary has a multicultural community, the professors should be encouraged to participate in programs and workshops that acquaint them with the specific situation and formational needs of their seminarians. To inculcate in seminarians a sensitivity for issues of social justice, the seminary professors first must possess an awareness of the significance of questions of peace, justice, and respect for life.

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