Re:
Human Formation
Fr:
Pastores dabo vobis (1992 St. Pope John Paul II). Ch 5. He
appointed 12 to be with him: Formation of Candidate for the Priesthood, # 43-44
(Human Formation) [caps mine]
Introduction:
(# 42) ”In preparing for the priesthood we learn how to respond from the heart
to Christ’s basic question: ‘DO YOU LOVE ME?’ (Jn 21:15). For the future priest
the answer can only mean TOTAL SELF-GIVING’ (122).
“What needs to be done is to transfer this
spirit – which can never be lacking in the Church – to the social,
psychological, political, and cultural conditions which are so varied and
complex….”
Human
Formation, The Basis of All Priestly Formation
#
43.
>human
perfection is reflected with particular liveliness in his attitudes toward
others
>priestly
ministry requires interpersonal dealings with human beings
>”In
order that his ministry may be HUMANLY as credible and acceptable as possible,
it is important that he priest should mold his HUMAN PERSONALITY in such a way
that it becomes a BRIDGE and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with
Jesus Christ the Redeemer of humanity.”
>the
priest should be able to:
--know
the depths of the human heart,
--perceive
difficulties and problems,
--make
meetings and dialogue easy,
--create
trust and cooperation,
--express
serene and objective judgments.
--BALANCED
people:
---strong
and free
---capable
of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities
>they
should be educated to:
--love
the truth,
--be
loyal,
--respect
every person,
--have
a sense of justice,
--be
true to their word,
--be
genuinely compassionate,
--be
men of integrity and especially
--be
BALANCED in judgment and behavior (Cf. Optatam
Totius 11, Presbyterorum Ordinis 3, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis
Sacerdotalis 51)
>”Of
special importance is the capacity to RELATE to others.
--fundamental:
“man of communion”
--NOT
arrogant, or quarrelsome but,
--affable,
--hospitable,
--sincere
in his words and heart,
--prudent
and discreet,
--generous
and ready to SERVE,
--capable
of opening self to clear and brotherly relationships and of encouraging the
same in others,
--quick
to understand, forgive, and console (cf. 1Tim3:1-5; Ti1:7-9) (cf. Proposition
21).
>Situation
Today: standardization and loneliness
>Response:
COMMUNION
“Today,
this (Communion) is one of the most eloquent signs and one of the most
effective ways of transmitting the Gospel message.”
“In
this context, AFFECTIVE MATURITY (AM), which is the result of an EDUCATION in
true and responsible LOVE, is a significant and decisive factor in the
formation of the candidates for the priesthood.”
#44.
AFFECTIVE MATURITY
>presupposition:
that LOVE has a central role in human life
--“Man
cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for
himself; his life is meaningless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does
not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he
does not participate intimately in it.” (Redemptoris
Hominis 10).
--love’s
aspects: physical, psychic, spiritual
--“nuptial
meaning” of the human body = to GIVE self to another and to TAKE the other to
oneself vs. modern concept of sexuality = body and selfish pleasure (Redemptoris Hominis 10)
--NB:
the family of the candidate may have from few weaknesses to serious failings
à EDUCATION for SEXUALITY
--education
for responsible love and affective maturity
--purpose:
to appreciate and love CHASTITY as a “virtue that develops a person’s authentic
maturity and makes him/her capable of respecting and fostering the ‘nuptial meaning’
of the human body” (Familiaris Consortio
37)
>”In
view of the commitment to celibacy, affective maturity should bring to human
relationships of serene friendship and deep brotherliness a strong, lively and
personal love of Jesus Christ.”
>”A
LOVE FOR CHRIST, which overflows into a dedication to everyone, is of the
greatest importance in developing affective maturity. Thus the candidate, who
is called to celibacy, will find in affective maturity a firm support to live
chastity in faithfulness and joy.” (Proposition 21)
>Characteristics
of Affective Maturity:
--prudent,
--able
to renounce anything that is a threat to it,
--vigilant
over both body and spirit,
--capable
of esteem and respect in interpersonal relationships between men and women.
>Requirements
for Affective Maturity:
--clear
and strong training in FREEDOM, expressed in the (a) truth of one’s own being,
and (b) “meaning” of one’s own existence, i.e., the SINCERE GIFT OF SELF – the
way and fundamental content of the AUTHENTIC REALIZATION of SELF (Gaudium et Spes 24).
--self-mastery
--determined
to fight and overcome the different forms of selfishness and individualism vs.
--openness
to others and generosity in dedication and service
--community
life: help
à FORMATION to “RESPONSIBLE
FREEDOM” and education of the MORAL CONSCIENCE (=obedience to moral obligations
and deep meaning of such obedience) – should be accustomed to the voice of God,
who speaks to him in his HEART.
Conclusion:
(#45) “Human formation, when it is carried out in the context of an
anthropology which is open to the full truth regarding the human person, leads
to and finds its completion in spiritual formation.”
