Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 161

Seminary Formation: Structural Elements

The expectations and procedures of the evaluation process must be detailed in the handbook and explained clearly to the seminary community by the rector or his delegate each year. Matters pertaining to celibate and chaste living must be included in the seminary Rule of Life. This Rule should also “cultivate the spirit of poverty in practical ways. . . . through simplicity and austerity of life,” 208 encouraging fasting, almsgiving, and the asceticism demanded by a Christian life and the priestly state. In imitating Christ who “became poor although he was rich” (2 Cor 8:9), the seminarian is able to grow in freedom and is able to develop in his heart a special place for the poor and the weak. The seminary environment itself should foster a simple way of life and a spirit of forthright detachment. Seminarians should be made aware that they are accountable for the proper stewardship of material goods and personal health. The Rule of Life must encourage appropriate respect for those in authority and a mature sense of obedience. The seminary should create a climate for mutual respect, commu nication, and collaboration as a contribution to the overall develop ment of the seminarians as they interact with many other individuals and communities as well. Men and women mingle with seminarians in a variety of settings: personal, academic, pastoral, and ecumeni cal. The interaction of seminarians with seminary administrative staff and service personnel in the seminary community often reveals atti tudes toward others in general. Seminarians’ ongoing contact with their own family and parish or ecclesial movement should continue to form a significant dimension of their life. “The community forms the seedbed of a priestly vocation, since the seminarian emerges from it, in order to be sent back to serve it after ordination. The seminar ian to begin with, and later the priest, must have a living bond with the

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208 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 111.

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