“All four dimensions of formation are interwoven and go forward concurrently. Still, in a certain sense, pastoral formation is the culmination of the entire formation process. ‘The whole formation imparted to candidates for the priesthood aims at preparing them to enter into communion with the charity of Christ the Good Shepherd (PDV, no. 57); therefore, ‘priestly formation must be permeated by a pastoral spirit.’ (RF, no. 119)” (PPF6, no. 366). The culmination of priestly formation is found in the gift and practice of the virtue of pastoral charity, in which a seminarian and priest lives and acts in the way proper to Christ. “The essential content of this pastoral charity is the gift of self, the total gift of self to the Church, following the example of Christ. Pastoral charity is the virtue by which we imitate Christ in his self-giving and service. It is not just what we do, but our gift of self, which manifests Christ’s love for his flock. Pastoral charity determines our way of thinking and acting, our way of relating to people. It makes special demands on us” (PDV, no. 23).
Though the program of formation at Cardinal Glennon College constitutes the earliest stages of priestly formation, college seminarians are, nevertheless, encouraged to engage in pastoral formation proper to their stage of formation. As a young man’s mind and heart are conformed to Christ in the human, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions, such formation will naturally overflow into charitable works, as a man desires to bring the love of Christ to the world around him. Such constitutes the first signs of pastoral integration and the budding of spiritual fatherhood.
Pastoral Formation by Year
