Human formation for seminarians

At the very center of all human formation for anyone seeking to be ordained is the spiritual life.

Bishop Scharfenberger

Perhaps the most important component in the process of preparing men for the diaconate and the priesthood is the identification and strengthening of their identity as healthy and well-formed human beings. This may seem to be so obvious as to hardly need an explanation. I think that it is worthwhile, however, to give it some attention here in my weekly column, since it may be questioned why we are putting so much into the so-called propae­deutic years before moving men into the study of theology.

Unquestionably, clergy aspirants need sound theological preparation to preach, to teach and to celebrate the sacramental mysteries effectively. The ministry of deacons, priests and bishops — the three steps of Holy Orders — requires that those men be able to encounter and enter into relationships with emotional maturity, moral integrity and a sense of professional responsibility. This includes essential elements such as discipline, accountability and an ability to communicate effectively on many levels. 

Members of the clergy must be able to interact effectively with increasingly diverse and often vulnerable populations. So many of the people whom they will serve have been wounded in dysfunctional family environments and by circumstances in which they have suffered various forms of abuse or trauma. We have only recently — and far from completely — addressed the effects of sexual abuse by clergy and others within our own ecclesial family. Those whom we are to ordain to serve our communities must themselves be not only aware and equipped to meet those they serve where they are but also to accompany them on their ongoing journey of human and spiritual well-being. To do this, they themselves must be humanly sound. 

The Program for Priestly Formation (PPF) 6 requires a so-called propaedeutic process to help meet this need. At present, dioceses and seminaries are gearing up to develop and to put such processes in motion, some with more dispatch than others. We continue to explore and assess these developments and will select what we believe to be only the best that are available. 

Not all of the components of human formation, however, can or will be supplied by institutions dedicated to this mission. Ideally, the process of sound human formation should begin and evolve in sound Catholic families. Not all men called to serve as ordained ministers have been blessed with such a foundation. Medical and psychological screening is a key component at every step in which a man moves forward to his next stage of formation. In this process, appreciating the influence of family of origin and sociocultural factors must be a part of the man’s personal growth in self-awareness and understanding of his own perceptions of himself and others, and his responses to the people he will serve. 

One of the areas of particular concern is the candidate’s own experience with any trauma or addiction. We are increasingly aware of such conditions as post-traumatic stress syndrome. Whether related to experiences in the military service or in more domestic circumstances wherein serious illness, marital discord, sudden death, suicide or various forms of violence or abuse were suffered, the impact of such factors must be fully examined and addressed. It is often the case, sadly, that many victims of abuse are more vulnerable than others to repeat that pattern of abuse in their own relationships, unless they can learn how to recognize and channel their impulses. 

The explosion of access to drugs and media that can lead to addiction — especially during and after the COVID pandemic — has led formators to be increasingly vigilant over men who may have been caught up in the vicious cycle of substance abuse and pornography. The statistics on men in the United States whose lives and relationships have been seriously compromised by such factors are alarming and easily discoverable to anyone who takes the time to do some inquiring on the subject. Fortunately, seminaries and houses of formation are becoming better equipped to identify and work with men who have been exposed to these noxious behaviors, which would seriously impede their ability to serve the communities to which they would be sent to minister as members of the clergy.

At the very center of all human formation, however, for anyone seeking to be ordained is the spiritual life. Physical and psychological health must be rooted in full human development which, from the standpoint of Christian anthropology, must include a relationship with God. Every religion has a certain understanding of an ultimate reality, a “god” who is the goal and determining source of the meaning of the life of the believer. Not all religious beliefs lead to circumstances favorable to the respect and dignity of all human life. Historically, there are “gods” who, according to believers, even demanded the violent sacrifice of the lives of innocent or vulnerable people. 

The beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan, recently proclaimed at our Sunday Masses, illustrates how the Christian understanding of the human person reconciles any conflicts between divine sovereignty and human well-being. Our God is a God of love who, in turn, is worthy of love with one’s whole heart, mind and soul. This is the greatest commandment: to give to God that to which God is due, all of one’s love. But the second commandment is to love one’s neighbor — and neighbor is defined as every other human being, particularly the most vulnerable. The basis for this union between love of God and love of neighbor is the Incarnation itself, Jesus Christ who is both fully divine and fully human.

Based on this view of the human person, it makes sense that a seminarian’s life and entire process of formation be rooted firmly in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, formed by the practice of prayer, both individual and communal, and of spiritual direction. This is, of course, the core of the life of every disciple of Christ though, unfortunately, it may not be so widely practiced by those who have been baptized and raised as Christians. To put it plainly, it is not enough just to “go through the motions” of saying “prayers,” or even just “attending” Mass according to the rules. A complete turning over of one’s life to Jesus Christ as its very center, goal and purpose is required. 

The process of human formation includes this essential component of prayer and spiritual accompaniment, in which candidates for Holy Orders will be introduced to and formed in the various schools of prayer which our Catholic tradition is so rich in. Jesuit, Carmelite, Benedictine, Dominican and Franciscan are only a few of the generic names associated with these traditions, inspired by the lives and teachings of the spiritual masters. 

None of this human, spiritual, prayerful formation takes place in a vacuum. Although each candidate will receive personal coaching and direction, the entire process takes place in a community setting with others who are in the process of discernment and formation as well. Part of the objective is to create an experience of mutual learning, encouragement and support that, hopefully, will continue after ordination, when the ordained will look to continue to support one another in their spiritual and ministerial lives. 

Most professions today require ongoing training and formation to keep up with many developments in technology, information and practice of which they need to be aware to serve their clients. Ongoing formation for our own clergy is also essential and will, with sound formational experience prior to ordination, be that much more anticipated and, hopefully, leveraged by our ordained clergy. Ultimately, this is a choice each candidate and ordained minister must make for himself, voluntarily. Institutions alone cannot provide all that is needed for the development and support of healthy and holy clergy. Personal responsibility through his years of service, however, is more likely to flow from a man who has received a sound human formation prior to ordination. This is our hope and our goal.

 @AlbanyDiocese