On Dec. 8, 2016, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy See’s Congregation for the Clergy released a new document on the formation of priests, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutiones Sacerdotalis. It invokes Mary, “who is Mother of Mercy and Mother of Priests,” as the perfect model of the priest’s very existence as proposed by the Second Vatican Council.
Sections covered include General Norms, Priestly Vocations including the topics of minor seminaries and vocations arising among indigenous peoples and migrants, the Foundations of Formation, Initial and Ongoing Formation, the Dimensions of Formation – human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral, the Agents of Formation, the Organization of Studies and Criteria and Norms.
In the introduction, Pope Francis is quoted from his address to the Congregation on Oct. 3, 2014, in reference to the gift of the priesthood and the need to propose a serious journey of formation to men pursuing that vocation. “It means guarding and fostering vocations, that they may bear mature fruit. They are ‘uncut diamonds,’ to be formed both patiently and carefully, respecting the conscience of the individual, so that they may shine among the People of God.”
The document also acknowledges it is building upon the work of both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI and the encouragement of Pope Francis.
Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...