Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Seminary Formation: Structural Elements

without any courses for academic credit, would assist in ensuring that the goals of this stage are met.

“It is fitting that the propaedeutic stage be lived in a community distinct from the Major Seminary and, where at all possible, that it should have its own house.” 180 Normally the propaedeutic stage would take place within the ecclesiastical entity, yet it must have an appropriate number of seminarians to support a healthy community. Community life helps the human dimension bear maximum fruit during the propaedeutic stage. These interactions in the normal course of events will contribute to the seminarian’s personal plan of formation in this and future stages. The propaedeutic stage must always be lived in a specific community with a team of priest formators. An individualized, “personal” propaedeutic stage, such as an apprenticeship to a pastor living in a rectory, is no substitute, since it cannot fulfill the objectives proper to this stage. If the propaedeutic stage takes place within the ecclesiastical entity, the priests delegated by the competent authority are charged with the responsibility of accompanying the seminarians so that they meet the appropriate benchmarks. The propaedeutic stage may take place in a seminary building as long as it remains distinct from the discipleship and configuration stages. The propaedeutic stage must be truly clear and distinct, with its own formators dedicated to this distinct stage. 181 The horarium , scope, and sequence of the propaedeutic stage should be different from the other stages. The propaedeutic stage may have a dress code distinct from that of the discipleship stage, or vice versa. Clerical attire at this stage is premature. Retreats, pilgrimages, and days of reflection may occur more frequently during this stage than in other stages.

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180 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 60. 181 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 60.

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