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November 2007 Issue
The path of priestly formation
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Discovery:
The journey begins
For many
seminarians and priests, considering the possibility
of priesthood began when they were boys or young men.
Others were older when they began discerning the possibility
of serving God in this manner. But much of the invitation,
regardless of one's age, is found in a number of experiences
that take place in the family, the parish or a catechetical
setting. Whether it is a married couple who models the
Christian faith and encourages their children to think
about a religious vocation, or a special presentation
that is offered in grade school or at a religious education
class, many priests have cited these as foundational
in "planting the seed" of their future vocation. |
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For others, it is a matter of personal experiences
with holy and joy-filled priests that make the priesthood
attractive. It may also be a fellow parishioner who suggests
that a gifted man ought to think about the priesthood. Regardless
of each man's reason, it seems the most influential factors
for a man to embrace the vocation of priesthood are family
support, priestly example, a personal invitation, or a vocation
program in childhood or adolescence. These factors make it
clear that a "culture of vocations" should be promoted in
all areas of diocesan and parish life.
Discernment: Honest dialogue
with the church One of the most serious misunderstandings
about the call to any religious vocation is that it is merely
one's personal decision. While the individual may have an
inner inclination toward a religious vocation, discernment
can not happen on one's own. Rather, discernment requires
the potential candidate to be in prayerful dialogue with God
and the church. The dialogue is especially important because
today "there is ... a certain tendency to view the bond between
human beings and God in an individualistic and self-centered
way, as if God's call reached the individual by a direct route,
without in any way passing through the community" (Pastores
dabo vobis, 37).
In his discernment, a man does not begin by
applying to the seminary. He would first work with the director
of priestly vocations to help him seek personal clarity through
a number of conversations, reflections and experiences offered
to him. The director and the discerner may embark on this
path for several months, or even years. During that time,
the man addresses significant questions and concerns for himself,
while the vocation director assists by equipping him with
healthy tools for discernment. The director would also serve
the discerner by identifying traits and qualities that suggest
the possibility of priesthood or may raise significant concerns
that suggest otherwise. This relationship is built on trust
and openness to God's divine will.
Seminary formation: Forming
fishers of men With the satisfaction of the director of priestly
vocations, those men who are convinced they are ready to continue
discerning God's call in a formal setting are encouraged to
make an application for acceptance as a seminarian for the
diocese. If he is accepted, the diocese will sponsor him so
that the man's prayerful dialogue with God and with the Church
is expanded to include a community of fellow discerners under
the supervision of a seminary formation team that assists
the director of vocations and the diocesan bishop.
Aided by directives from the U.S. Bishop's
Program for Priestly Formation, the seminary helps each candidate
grow in the areas of human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral
formation. Each seminarian receives the service of a faculty
adviser, spiritual director, and a formation team who oversee
the growth and maturation of each candidate as he progresses.
The seminary journey is a process of experiences over a number
of years before the candidate and the bishop reach the conclusion
that he is suitable for ordination.
- Father Ron Hutchinson is director of priestly
vocations for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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