Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 119

Program of Priestly Formation

seminary will enable him to grow as a disciple who is discerning and preparing for ordained ministry. He is gradually formed into a shepherd who is called to make a gift of his life in pastoral charity for the People of God. This gradual development of the future priest has as its goal growth in holiness, so as to become configured to Christ, Head and Shepherd, Servant and Spouse. Propaedeutic Stage The propaedeutic stage seeks to provide seminarians with the basic groundwork they need to engage in priestly formation. Through no fault of their own, the requisite qualities for formation are often missing in new seminarians. A significant imbalance is present between the lifestyle promoted by contemporary society and priestly formation. There are many generous young men open to a priestly call who nevertheless need more intensive preparation before they are ready to enter into the discipleship stage of formation; thus, a propaedeutic stage prior to the discipleship stage is essential. Indeed, even men who have benefited from stronger formation from family and parish life can still profit from a period of consolidation and growth in prayer, trust, and fraternity. Given that men discern a priestly vocation and apply to a formation program for an ecclesiastical entity from a variety of life circumstances, the propaedeutic stage satisfies the “need to dedicate a period of time to preparation of an introductory nature, in view of the priestly formation to follow or, alternatively, of the decision to follow a different path in life.” 171 While the way in which the propaedeutic stage is accomplished in ecclesiastical entities will vary, 172 nonetheless, the stage is mandatory for all men in initial formation. Formation is a lifelong journey. It is important to lay a solid foundation for this journey in the propaedeutic stage, especially in 171 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 59. 172 For example, in an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, the propaedeutic stage is accomplished during the postulancy and/or novitiate.

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