Four Dimensions of Priestly Formation
A Heart in the image of Christ
It is an integrated formation that aims at altering one’s life to that of Christ and acquiring mature development in his social life. As the document puts it, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotaliss, “formation is aimed at ‘transforming’ or ‘assimilating’ the heart in the image of the heart of Christ, who was sent by the Father to fulfill his loving plan”. The formation is categorically divided into four pillars: (1) human formation, (2) spiritual formation, (3) academic formation, and (4) pastoral formation.
Spiritual Formation
The Spiritual formation is intended to nourish in every seminarian’s heart the spirit of piety and deep relationship with the Lord. As the Document puts it, it “is directed at nourishing and sustaining communion with God and with our brothers and sisters, in the friendship of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and with an attitude of docility to the Holy Spirit,” (RFIS, p.92).
Human Formation
The Human Formation is about developing maturity and personality, “having Christ as his model and source”, (RFIS, p.85). Here, the seminarian is guided to acquire an interest in physical activities so as to promote health balance, emotional balance, self-control, and well-integrated sexuality.
Pastoral Formation
The Pastoral Formation prepares for future work in the parish as priests. Here, every year level is assigned and grouped to different apostolate areas of the Diocese of Borongan. It offers the integrating element within. the entire process of priestly formation; forming “true shepherds of souls after the example. of our Lord Jesus Christ, teacher, priest, and shepherd.
Academic Formation
The Academic Formation is to hone and harness their intellectual capacity to prepare for their future ministry as preachers of the Word of God. As the document puts it, it “is aimed at achieving for seminarians a solid competence in philosophy and theology, along with a more general educational preparation, enough to allow them to proclaim the Gospel message to the people of our own day in a way that is credible and can be understood,” (RFIS, p.102).
