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The Goal of Human Formation

The goal of human formation is for the seminarian to grow towards full human maturity, and to become a living icon of Christ. In obedience with the Church, the seminarian is the primary participant in his human formation and is called to prayerfully devote himself to the integration and interiorizing of his spiritual, academic, pastoral and human formation.  The foundation and center of human formation is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who in his fully developed humanity was able to give himself totally for the salvation of the world. Seminarians are to strive to grow in relationship with Christ and to become a bridge for others to grow in their relationship with Christ. Seminarians are to strive to become men of solid moral character through self-knowledge, self-acceptance and self-maturity. Seminarians are to grow in discipleship, holiness and the virtuous life, to become men of communion and men who are ready to share in life-giving, holy and healthy relationships and to be instruments of God’s grace.  

Human formation is twofold, concerned with the maturing of the self as well as maturing of interpersonal relationships. This is truly fundamental for a persona who is called to be responsible for a community and to be a man of communion (PDV43).

Therefore, human formation relies on a foundation of prayer and spiritual formation. It relies on the academic formation and the development of the intellect. It relies on a desire for growth, self-awareness, correction of deficiencies, self-acceptance and personal identity. It relies on the formation of the will, passions, emotions, memory, and imagination. It requires the development of chaste celibacy, prudence, vigilance over body and spirit, compassion and care for others, obedience, simplicity of life, discernment, morals, values, and learning and living the virtues. It requires learning how to set and live a Rule of Life. It includes social formation, collaboration, manners and courtesy. It requires a desire to grow in freedom, openness, honesty, flexibility, joy, inner peace, generosity, justice, personal maturity, interpersonal skills, common sense, aptitude for ministry, and growth in Amoral sensibility and character.  It includes a psychosexual maturity and ongoing education in the areas of human sexuality, and chaste celibacy. It requires a healthy ministerial identity and a keen awareness of ministerial boundaries and is grounded in a well-developed sense of the self.  It requires healthy social, recreational and cultural interests. It requires all this and relies on a generous pastoral heart and a desire to serve.

Thus, it can be seen that human formation is wide ranging, integral to formation and greatly influences the ministry of the future priest.  Human formation is not learned in a single class or single workshop but over time and in the interior of the heart.