Formazione permanente come strumento di satificazione dei presbiteri

Abstract

Ongoing formation as a means of the sanctification of priests. The formation of a priest lasts throughout the whole of life, and is a commitment involving the whole person. Ongoing formation is a necessity that comes to birth with, and develops from, the reception of the sacrament of Orders, by which the priest is not only „consecrated” by the Father and „sent” by the Son, but also „given life” by the Holy Spirit. It is destined to engage, and progressively resemble, the life and action of the priest, in fidelity to the gift received. In fact, as a man situated in a particular moment in history, he needs to perfect himself in all aspects of his human and spiritual existence, in order to be able to reach that conformation to Christ, which is the unifying principle of everything. Ongoing formation must be considered and developed in such a way that all priests are always able to receive it, taking into account those possibilities and features which are related to variations in age, condition of life and responsibilities being undertaken. Such formation must include and harmonise the four dimensions of formation, namely the human, the spiritual, the intellectual and the pastoral. Moreover, it must be structured as a systematic programme of contents, which is unfolded in stages and is delievered in a precise way. In the organisation of ongoing formation, dioceses and Conferences of Bishops may propose to priests many formation opportunities, and various forms that it can take, for example: meetings of priests, days of recollection and retreats, community life for priests, spiritual direction. Those who are responsible for formation are the whole Particular Church with her Bishop, the diocesan presbyterate, formators and families. The priest himself, however, has the primary responsability for his own ongoing formation. In reality, it is incumbent on every priest to be faithful to the gift of God and to the process of daily conversion.