Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 144

Seminary Formation: Structural Elements

competent authority of his institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, whose decisions he accepts with docility.

The formation of the deacon in this stage is essentially different from the formation he received in the seminary, in that it involves the accompaniment of the newly ordained cleric to appreciate his new status in the Church as an official representative and a public figure: incorporating, again, all of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation he has received preceding his entrance into the clerical state. In the vocational synthesis stage, the deacon focuses directly on the needs of the people he is called to serve. He applies what he has learned to pastoral situations and recognizes where he needs and desires ongoing growth. The deacon also seeks to become more integrated into the presbyterate and local Church to which he belongs or in which his institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life is located. Though the vocational synthesis stage takes place outside the seminary, in some dioceses it may be desirable that deacons be accompanied by formators from the seminary. For example, the deacons could gather at the seminary monthly, once every two months, or quarterly for days of prayer, group reflection, and fraternity in order to process the experience of diaconal ministry and engage in sacramental and pastoral practica. Whatever role the seminary may play, a substantial majority of the deacon’s time should be spent engaged in ministry in his diocese, institute, or society. Virtual technology could also be used by the seminary to assist in this accompaniment. The minimum duration of the vocational synthesis stage is six months of residence and diaconal ministry in the diocese, institute, or society.

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