Formation Does Not End Once a Priest is Ordained

Priestly formation is a journey. Pope Francis explained that formation “cannot be a limited task, because priests never stop being disciples of Jesus, who follow Him.”

According to Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis which provides guidelines for priestly formation in the Catholic Church, formation begins in seminary with initial formation and continues during the entire life of the priest through ongoing formation.

For a man who is considering the priesthood, initial formation involves the continuous conversion of heart, mind and soul in service to God and His people and is centered around four specific dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.

Ongoing formation still involves all four dimensions and is an opportunity to learn and grow in each of those aspects. Like with any profession, it is a chance to enhance skills and increase knowledge on a continuous basis.

At Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM), each seminarian is formed and prepared for the priesthood via coursework and study, field education, spiritual direction, retreats, workshops and living in community with one another. MTSM also now offers ongoing formation for ordained priests.

This summer, MTSM held its inaugural Continuing Formation Conference that covered a variety of topics and offered several resources for priests. MTSM held three separate weeks, each designed for a specific audience.

“We are aware that formation doesn’t end once a seminarian is ordained into the priesthood; it continues and evolves,” said the Very Rev. Anthony R. Brausch, Ph.D., President & Rector of MTSM. “That’s why our ongoing formation conferences are important - they provide systematic ways for priests to continue their formation in their current roles.”

The summer conferences provided an opportunity for priests to expand their knowledge, to reconnect with the Seminary and each other, to meet new people and to pray and reflect.

“With the level of content and instruction in the conference, I would be interested and willing to participate in something like this every year,” said Fr. Jim Romanello, pastor at St. Henry Catholic Church in Dayton. “Learning is a life-long process and continuing education like this is important.”

The first week of the conference was designed for newly ordained priests and focused on the challenges of being a new priest and ways to adapt to their new role. Week two was for priests ordained after 2010 and in their first parish and first term as pastor and addressed the realities of leading a parish in today’s complex context. The last week of the conference was for all priests in good standing and focused on ongoing intellectual formation. It explored both the scriptural and extra-scriptural warrants for the “wrath of God,” including exegetical methodologies and some of its theological implications.

In July, MTSM also hosted a three-day Sacred Music Institute for music directors and parish priests to encourage and teach them to incorporate sacred Catholic music into the liturgy. The conference helps pastors and parishes enhance their liturgical music and provides training and resources for music leaders. It consisted of key speakers and breakout sessions and culminated in a final Mass where attendees debuted what they had learned throughout the conference.

“I found all the sacred music lectures to be remarkably unified in ideology and long view,” said one of the conference attendees. “Not the same, but very well integrated and complimentary. All were rich and beautifully done.”

Human Formation is the foundation of all priestly formation. It is the cultivation of human qualities – emotional maturity, empathy, compassion, social skills, interpersonal skills – and the growth in self-knowledge.

Spiritual Formation helps seminarians live in intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

Intellectual Formation encompasses academics, practicums, discussions and real world applications to help seminarians achieve an overall educational preparation and solid competence in philosophy and theology allowing them to proclaim the Gospel message in a way that is credible and understandable.

Pastoral Formation “seeks to prepare men to be bridges for, not obstacles to, the spread of the Gospel.” (Program of Priestly Formation). It provides opportunities for engagement, awareness and evaluation so seminarians develop an appreciation for the multi-dimensional pastoral work of the diocesan priest.