|
|
-
The initial inspiration and a question about vocation which arises
in a person's heart.
-
Talking this over with God in prayer, and also with a priest,
a friend or family member
-
Contact and interview with the vocations director
-
Information gathering, prayer and interviews with other formation
personnel of the Diocese
-
Beginning a process of discernment: “How is God calling
me to
fulfill
my baptismal commitment? Is God calling me to be a priest?”
-
If so, there is movement to the next stage – a stage which
determines what must be done to move toward preparation or ordination.
A bridge is crossed.
Initial Formation
-
A
commitment to accept responsibility to prepare oneself in
mind and spirit for service as a priest in the Archdiocese
of Newark. It includes active discernment of one’s
vocation with the help of the Bishop, the vocation director,
and other persons in the diocese or the seminary one attends.
-
There are a variety of settings for this stage of formation.
It may be a college seminary or college, working in a
parish, working in a Church related job, or some project
serving the poor, etc.
-
The Diocese makes the commitment to pursue the discernment
process. This is acknowledged by a letter from the Bishop
affirming this initial stage of basic priestly formation.
-
A commitment by the seminarian to that part of the priestly formation
program that includes theological studies toward aquiring a master
of divinity degree (M.Div.)
-
The setting for this stage may be a major seminary or school of
theology.
-
It also includes pastoral assignments designed to develop ministering
skills.
- Commitment
to an ongoing program of growth.
-
Ongoing spiritual direction and annual directed retreat
-
During this stage the candidate will look for financial loans for
educational and other financial needs at this time of formation.
-
During this stage the seminarian will receive the Ministries of Lector,
and Acolyte in preparation for the ministry of Word and Sacrament.
He also receives Candidacy, which commits him to the Archdiocese of
Newark as a candidate for priestly ordination.
| Adapted
with permission from
the web page of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota. |
|
