Formation in Priestly Vocation

For the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), there are two phases of formation in the priestly vocation. “Preparatory formation encompasses all formation leading to priestly ordination; permanent formation is that which follows and lasts the entire priestly life” (PCP II 564).

Those who aspire to become priests need to be prepared according to the mind and heart of Jesus. They must be formed for the service of the Church. This is the task of each one – the family, the parish community, especially the parish priest as inspiration, and the seminary formation of the candidate.

As ordained servant-leaders, priests must maintain their identity as one who journeys with the Christian community bearing the name of Christ, the model of humble service. “For this reason the priest needs moments of quiet and time to recover his ‘re-sources’” (PCP II 571). Aside from the on-going updating for the growth of his personhood and his being a shepherd, the fraternity among his brother priests is also of great help.

As a member of the priestly people of God, what concrete support can we do for our priests? How can we help in the preparatory and permanent formation of priests?