Fostering Vocations

8/7/2019 Fostering Vocations

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fostering-vocations 1/18

CHARTER FOR PRIESTS

Schema for Vocation and Formation to Priesthood:

I.Vocation and Fostering of Vocations:

II. Diocesan Vocation Commission

III.Promotion of Priestly and Religious Vocations: Stages of Discernment Process

IV. Selection to the Minor Seminary

V. The Minor Seminary

VI. Initiation at the Minor Seminary

VII. Continuing Vocational Discernment for seminarians in Colleges

VIII. Continuing Evaluation of Major Seminarians by the Diocese

IX. Role of Families and Sponsors in Formation to Priesthood

X. Publication of banns before Ordination of Candidates to Diaconate and PriesthoodXI. Choice of places and expenses for Ordinations to Priesthood in the diocese

-----------------------------------------------

1



I. Vocation and Fostering of Vocations:

I.1. Christian Vocation

The Christian Vocation, rooted in Baptism and strengthened by Confirmation, is a call bywhich a person shares in the divine life of Christ and becomes a member with a right of belonging and sharing in the life of the Church. As a member of the Church in its visibleunits of parish, vicariate and diocese, the Christian participates in the mission of Christ.

I.2. Priestly Vocation

The priestly vocation is a call within the call, a vocation within the wider reality of thechristian vocation. As one begins growing to the stature of christ, the christian feels the

call to serve the people of God. It is a special call to ministry in the Church by a person.Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, one is empowered to proclaim the Good News of God’s Kingdom, to build up the Christian Community and to lead them worshiping inspirit and truth.

Entry to priesthood is not a right. The one who aspires for priesthood should be enabledto understand clearly from the very beginning of his journey, that it is a two way processof discernment. The aspirant does a personal discernment with the help of a spiritualdirector but then it is up to the Bishop to make the ultimate judgment regarding hisvocation and worthiness.

I.3.Fostering Vocations for Priestly Ministry

I.3.1. The Church has the duty and the proper and exclusive right to form those who aredesignated for the sacred ministries. Canon.232

I.3.2. The duty of fostering vocations rests with the entire Christian community so thatthe needs of the sacred ministry in the universal Church are provided for sufficiently.This duty especially binds Christian families, educators, and, in a special way, priests,particularly pastors. Diocesan Bishops, who most specially to be concerned for promoting vocations, are to teach the people entrusted to them of the importance of thesacred ministry and of the need for ministers in the Church and are to encourage andsupport endeavors to foster vocations, especially by means of projects established for thatpurpose ( Canon 233 . 1 )

2



I.3.2.a.The Family

Families which are animated by a spirit of faith, love, piety and commitment to their Christian vocation, make the greatest contribution to the fostering of priestly vocations

(OT 2)

Families will fulfill this responsibility when: a) parents are aware of their role in fosteringpriestly vocation; b) vocation promotion is directed to helping parents and children growin their Christian vocation and commitment; c) prayer, especially family prayer, becomesan important part of family life.

I.3.2.b. The Parish

A dynamic parish community, which is faithful to its call to holiness and to itsparticipation in the mission of the church, is the seedbed of priestly vocations. Such a

dynamic community will result when the faithful enter intensely into the life of the parishby obeying the word of God, by celebrating the Lord’s day and by participating in thevarious forms of the apostolate.

I.3.2. c. Schools

When Catholic schools live up to their vocation within the mission of the Church, thestudents will more easily hear the call of the Lord to dedicate themselves to thepriesthood by which they may promote effectively the welfare of society and serve theadvancement of the Kingdom of God.

Under certain socio-economic and cultural conditions, “ vocational groups “ may beformed among the Catholic students in each parish or school or schools in each vicariateof the diocese. “ Such groups can offer a systematic guide in a community context, withwhich to check the existence and development of vocations. These groups whensystematically organized will offer ambience and opportunities wherein the member students can find support to follow through the specific vocational journey which the giftof the Holy Spirit has initiated in them. (PDV 64)

I.3.2. d. Witness of Priests

Priests ministering in parishes who are imbued with the spirit of prayer, service,simplicity of life, austerity and true paschal joy (cf P:O11) will always be powerful rolemodels and the best inspiration for promoting vocation. This witness will include tellingothers especially young people the story of their own priestly vocation, its challenges, itsjoy and personal fulfillment it brings as well as encouraging and accompanying possiblecandidates to the priesthood.

3



I.3.2.e. Priestly Vocations from the pre-adolescent years or earliest years of youth As priestly vocation tends to show itself in the pre-adolescent years or in the earliest

years of youth and as the Church history gives constant witness of calls which the Lord

directs to people of tender age, ( PDV 63 ) the Diocese of Tuticorin, in consideration of the above mentioned beliefs, commits itself to take steps to foster a climate of relationships conducive to promoting vocations among children and youth in parishes andparochial schools, nurture the faith of the families in parishes that provide the foundationand sow the seeds of vocation through a pedagogy of Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgicalinstructions planned for families in Anbiangal and specially for different age groups onimportant occasions of renewal and celebrations of life.

I.3.2.f. Priestly Vocations from among people of adult age :

The Diocese of Tuticorin is committed to address itself to the phenomenon of priestly

vocations arising among people of adult age, after some years of experience of lay lifeand professional involvement. It is not always possible and often it is not even convenientto invite adults to follow the educative itinerary of seminary formation. In all these cases,these persons first need to be put through a careful discernment of the genuineness of their vocations under a competent team of priests appointed by the Bishop for each one of them. This special team of priests will provide some kind of specific programme toaccompany them with formation in order to ensure, bearing in mind all the suitableadaptations that such persons receive the spiritual and intellectual formation they require.Such men can not be straight away brought into a seminary context whether of minor seminary or any other.

II. The Diocesan Vocation Commission

The priorities of services and modalities of operation by the Diocesan VocationCommission then are to be set by a competent group consisting of exemplary, committedand gifted men and women, Priests and Religious in parishes who volunteer to serve incooperation with the parish vocation cells, vicariate and diocesan vocation commissions.

As the activities of the vocation commission concern people in different age groups,status and interests of service, the vocation commission at the diocesan level will planand set targets jointly with Youth, SC/ST and other commissions and work out acoordinating mechanism at the vicariate level with a separate vicariate action wing toinspire, invite, educate and train people in order to build the basic “parish vocation cells”and get them activated in parish milieu.

As the objects of the diocesan vocation commission cover the whole gamut of relatingwith people of same and different age groups at the same time, the Diocese of Tuticorinreserves its prerogative to call the children and youth of the diocese for DiocesanPriesthood and Religious Life of both men and women. Therefore the diocese decidesthat the different activities of the diocesan vocation commission are to be carried out

4



through the parish vocation cell under the guidance of the parish priest appropriatelyassisted by the Vicariate Vocation Commission under the inspiration and guidance of theDiocesan Vocation Commission. The Diocesan Vocation Commission is to be constitutedof equal number of Priests and Religious representing the Vicariates along with needednumber of men and women volunteers from different areas of Vicariates in order to

systematically carry out programs of activities covering all the parishes, institutions andgroups.

The parish vocation cell under the direction of the parish priests, gather, inspire andinitiate young men into different parish associations attending to different forms of apostolate and build up their spirit to be enlightened by the word of God therebyinculcating an attitude of readiness to dedicate themselves for ministry in the Church.The parish vocation cell finally identifies from among these boys and girls who manifestsigns of consistency in behavior, constantancy in prayer and desire for sincerecommitment.

Because of its varied nature of works involving the Religious of the diocese and thesubsequent follow up action on the out come of the joint efforts, the diocesan vocationcommission is encouraged to maintain a cordial and committed partnership with the CRIunit of the diocese to seal policy decisions for all activities related to promotion of Priestly and Religious vocations.

III.Promotion of Priestly and Religious Vocations: Stages of Discernment Process

The boys and girls who are identified in parishes through the Parish Vocation Cells andthrough the Diocesan SC/ST, Youth and Education Commissions to diocesan priesthoodor religious life, will begin a serious discernment process in the Vocation Camps jointlyorganized in the Vicariates of the Diocese by the vocation commission and the diocesanunit of the CRI.

In the first place the Diocesan Vocation Promoter must send all the particulars about thevocation camps to all the parish priests in the diocese and ask them to issue the call to thechildren and the youth in their parishes for Vocation Camps to be held in respectivevicariate centres during the weeks immediately following the Easter Sunday.

Students from IX standard to XII standard and College degrees completed and identifiedby the parish vocation cell will attend the Vocation Camps in their vicariates.

The boys who completed XII Standard college degree and got recommended by theparish priests to become priests of our diocese will attend the first level Interview for entering Little Flower Seminary at these vicariate vocation camps.

Boys and girls who choose to join Religious congregations are inspired, invited andaccompanied by the vocation promoters from respective Religious Congregations whoattend the vocation camps in the vicariates.

5



Taking a realistic view of the future effects of the increasing numerical growth of theclergy on the management of the diocese, the diocese of Tuticorin earnestly sets itspriority of selecting seminarians for Mission territories and dioceses in north India andelsewhere. Therefore the vocation camps in vicariates will harness all that are at their

disposal to motivate boys to go as Missionaries wherever priests are lacking.

At the same time programmes such as retreats, camps in Higher Secondary Schools onrenewal and life orientation, family prayer groups, exhibitions, Vocation Sundays,associations of altar servers, youth etc, play an important role in promoting the spirit of priestly and religious vocations.

From this stage on the Diocesan Vocation Promoter watchfully monitors the candidatesfrom IX to XII std who took part in the vocation camps in the vicariates through theparish priests and parish vocation cells, arranges programs of Faith formation, spiritualorientation and value clarification for them through the respective commissions of the

diocese jointly with the CRI at the Vicariate levels and positively enables thosecandidates who of their own volition choose to join the diocese or mission territories.These programmes should be conducted regularly involving the parish representatives ineach vicariate so that pupils from IX standard to XII standard grow through the processesof Christian discernment of their call and become ready to present themselves wholeheartedly to the call of God.

IV. Selection to the Minor Seminary

The systematically planned activities of the Diocesan Vocation Commission enablestudents to appreciate the gifts of God’s call and prepare them to offer themselves togrow in the path of discipleship through a disciplined formation to priesthood andReligious life.

The selection of candidates for entrance to the minor seminary should be donesystematically with individual and personal approach by involving responsible andcompetent people at various stages before reaching the level of the Diocesan VocationDirector and the Bishop. The vocation promoter ensures that it is done at the vicariatelevel in and through the close monitoring system under the parish priest by the parishvocation cells. The final decision regarding the selection always lies with the Bishop.

Visiting the families of the candidates, meeting with the parish priests and the membersof the parish vocation cells and closely studying the candidates will be the first step inenabling the vocation promoter to understand and discern their vocations.

To this end, the office of the Diocesan Vocation Director should be strengthened. TheBishop should make sure that exemplary priests are selected for this ministry, and thatthey are given proper training and preparation. The Diocesan Director and his teamshould make use of the human sciences in the process of assessing candidates.

6



Selecting candidates at an early stage of life may have harmful psychological effects. For at this stage of their life, the candidates are too young to discern their vocation. Hence theselection requires a sufficient time for reflection and maturing.

The criteria for selection of candidates are determined by the predisposition of candidates

for sincerity, honesty, other centeredness, self sacrifice besides the candidate’s capacityfor spiritual orientation, constancy in prayer, consistency in efforts and skill in action.The candidate’s physical and psychological fitness, family background and intellectualability are other important factors to be taken into consideration in deciding upon thecandidates.

Extreme caution, sensitivity and understanding is to be shown in the case of candidatewho is the only child to parents who is applying to join the seminary to become a priestin the diocese. In such cases the vocation promoter needs to call the parents of individualcandidates to enlighten them of the gravity of their sacrifice in order to enable them tomake informed decisions in offering of their sons to the priesthood.

Normally candidates sent away by any congregation or seminary for any reason, are notto be admitted into another congregation or seminary. In case they are considered for readmission, a confidential report should be obtained from the previous superiors aboutthe true status and freedom of the candidate justifying the change. The final decision insuch matters lies with the Bishop.

V. Minor Seminary

Little Flower Seminary, the Diocesan Minor Seminary is an institution for candidateswho have completed their XII std. or equivalent and show signs of priestly response toGod’s call. It is a place where they can reflect on, discover more deeply their vocation,and arrive at a free and responsible decision concerning it. It is a place for initiation of “preliminary discernment and accompaniment “ (PDV 63) since its students have not yetmade a definite decision for the priesthood (cf RF 11; PPFI 5.6 a). Hence conversely “the aim of the Minor seminary is to protect and develop the seeds of priestly vocation sothat the students may more easily recognize it and be in a better position to respond to it.” (PDV 63). The duration of the minor seminary programme is one year as decided by theProvinical Bishops.

“ The Minor seminary can also be in the Diocese a reference point for vocation work,with suitable forms of welcome and the offering of opportunities for information toadolescents who are looking into possibility of a vocation or who, having already madeup their mind to follow their vocation, have to delay entry into the seminary for variousfamily and educational reasons “. (PDV 63)

7



V.1. Program of the Minor Seminary:

The program of the Minor seminary must be consistent, as far as possible, at least on aregional basis. Care must be taken to ensure that the formation at this stage fits the ageand maturity level of candidates.

V.2. Selection and Preparation of Staff:

Special care is to be given to the selection and preparation of priests who will work withseminarians at all levels of their formation. They are to have proper academic credentialsas required by their tasks and the formation necessary for this specialized ministry.

The staffing of the minor seminary is of the utmost importance. A sufficient number of priests should be trained for this purpose so that consistency, continuity and stabilityamong the functioning of the staff can be assured.

VI. Initiation at the Minor Seminary:

“ The educational goal of such Seminaries tends to favour in a timely and gradual way,the human, cultural and spiritual formation which will lead the young person to embark on the path of the Major Seminary with an adequate and solid foundation. “ To beprepared to follow Christ the Redeemer with generous souls and pure hearts”: thisis the purpose of the Minor Seminary as indicated by the Council in the Decree OptatamTotius, which thus outlines its educational aspect: the students “ under the fatherlysupervision of the superiors, the parents too playing their appropriate part, should leadlives suited to the age, mentality and development of young people. Their way of lifeshould be fully in keeping with the standards of sound psychology and should includesuitable experience of the ordinary affairs of daily life and contact with their own families“ ( O.T.3)

VI.1 Spiritual Orientation

The guiding principle in the spiritual orientation of the students is that their life becentered in Christ through personal and community prayer exercises nourished by theWord of God. A meaningful participation in the Liturgy, especially Eucharist and thesacrament of Reconciliation, will help them experience Christ’s sanctifying presence inthem and in the community. Through Christ thus experienced, they will come to knowthe Father and love Him and configure Christ in all their ways of being and doing..

At this stage they need to be guided by a competent spiritual director who will help themto be sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in their lives had to respond withgenerosity and courage.

8



VI.2 Personality Growth

This first year of formation initiates the candidates to be integrated as actively aspossible into the ecclesial, social and cultural milieu of their formation. Students areencouraged to maintain meaningful social ties with their family and neighborhood. The

healthy personality growth of the seminarians will lead them to accept personalresponsibility for their Faith and actions. They are to be helped to develop soundjudgment and acquire a right scale of values. They are to be given sufficient scope for developing their gifts and talents for the service of the people of God.

VI.3 Intellectual Training

The intellectual training will aim at gradually developing in the students a capacity for learning matched by systematic study habits, taste for reading and degree of mentalmaturity which are indispensable not only for future studies in the major seminary butalso make them valuable later in their priestly ministry. Since students will normally be

following university or equivalent courses after this initiation period, they are to be givensupplementary helps and special guidance in developing a personal, systematic, creataiveand critical approach to their studies. Also at this stage, the candidates need to be trainedin the use of library, scientific reading and study habits, and also in writing, rhetoric andcommunication skills.

VI.4 Education to Freedom

The seminarians need to be given adequate help so that they can come to know andrecognize in themselves the physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual indication of vocation in general and of a priestly character in particular. Anything that could in theslightest degree diminish the genuineness of their freedom at this stage should be avoidedwith care. It must never be forgotten that, whereas some may have definitely accepted thepriesthood their life-goal, others merely regard it as a serious possibility, and some mayshow hesitation or even grave doubts about their vocation. Sessions of self searchingexperiences including review of the media literacy of candidates will help them enhancetheir capacity for true freedom in the light of the Gospel.

VI.5 Sex Education

A prudent sex education should be imparted to the candidates with a view to helpingthem to acquire holistic attitude towards human sexuality and develop a healthyrelationship towards the complementary sex. Keeping in mind the local custom thecandidates may be allowed normal social contacts with people of all age groupsregardless of gender difference. Emotional maturity in the area of human relationshipwill enable them to gradually discern their call to an ever relevant and meaningfulcelibate life.

9



VI..6 Language Studies

During this period, students will make efforts to acquire a good knowledge of the mother tongue Tamil. A strong laboratory approach to teach students to have sufficient commandof English for wider communication needs to be pursued and a library along with a

language laboratory for English is to be maintained.

VI.7 University Studies

A university degree or a corresponding technical or professional qualification isstipulated by the Regional Bishops Council and the Provincial Board of Bishops for theseminarians after their year of Initiation. Upon completion of the year of Initiation atLittle Flower Seminary, the students are guided in their choice of college courses, whichwill be useful for their priestly formation, ecclesiastical studies and future ministry. Inthe cases of candidates who upon completion of university degrees apply to becomepriests of the diocese, they will go through one year of Initiation at Little Flower

Seminary before being sent for Philosophy unless the Bishop decides otherwise.

VII. Continuing Vocational Discernment for seminarians attending colleges:

This extraordinary period of three years of college studies after Initiation at the Minor Seminary marks an important stage in vocational discernment where in the candidates areenabled to go through a unique process of human, ecclesial and spiritual maturing as theystart their chartered educational itinerary in their formation to priesthood. To this end thecandidates are mandated to stay at their own homes in order to be instructed to appreciateand generously take part in life through the vicissitudes their families go through, evolvetheir own roles through regular activities in the pastoral milieu under the guidance of their parish priests and grow pastorally in and through the parish ecclesial communitiesof Faith and Action. A table of Biblical themes with relevant Church documentssystematically followed for their monthly recollection throughout this period will enablethem to keep the flame of their call consciousness amidst the din of life by renewingthemselves and growing in their vocational discernment.

VII.1 Spiritual Direction:

Renewal of the self and growth in vocational discernment gain perspective only when theseminarians themselves ardently seek spiritual direction. Hence the seminarians attendingcollege studies are exhorted to choose their spiritual directors from the list of priests thediocese updates and expected to keep to the rule of visiting them once a month. Arecurrent lapse in keeping the rule will be seriously looked into.

10



VII.2. Continuing Evaluation of Seminarians attending Colleges and otherSeminaries:

As constant renewal of the self is pivotal to formation and the perennial part required toremain consistent in accountability of any sort, the diocese intends to ensure that the

seminarians from right after their Initiation until the completion of their College studiesand Regency come forward to present themselves for an over all formation auditing oncea year before a panel of three or four priests. This way the people in formation will reapcumulative benefits of out of all reflections they engage themselves in different contexts.and the direction of their response to the call as well be more visible and certain.

VII.3. Seminarians with arrears not permitted for philosophy:

Major Seminaries do not admit for philosophy those students with arrears that are notcleared until the fifth semester university exams in colleges. No unique condition of anysort can excuse any seminarian to have arrears at the time of completion of degree

courses in college and enter philosophy. These arrears are the last serious warning thecollege going seminarians can have. Those seminarians with no serious reason carryarrears semester after semester can not have the diocesan financial help for their tuitionand other fees but they are allowed to follow the rule of life of seminarians. Seminarianswith arrears not cleared until the fifth semester university exams are asked to review their call for a year and are required to reapply to the Bishop for reentry. Seminarians withoutstanding arrears after completion of the sixth semester exams can not be promoted for priesthood.

VIII. Continuing Evaluation of Major Seminarians by the Diocese :

The continuing evaluation of Major Seminarians by the diocese is primarilyseen within the continuing firming up of the discernment of their call in the diocesanpastoral context. The evaluation of the major seminarians by the diocese is to let themprepare themselves through exposures, experiences from data collection in parishes,training programs, vicariate vocation camps and annual INTERSEM gathering of seminarians.

At a more personal level the diocese will help those seminarians whose attention need tobe drawn to the serious remarks the seminaries send to the Bishop. These seminarianswill appear before the panel of consultors during the summer.

IX. Role of Families and Sponsors in Formation to Priesthood:

The families that offer their sons for diocesan priesthood are to be motivated andeducated by the parish priests and the vocation promoter that their part in the response of their sons to the call of God is as continuous as that of their sons not only during theperiod of their formation but all through their life as priests later on. The support of theparents and families of the candidates in formation

11



X. Publication of banns before Ordination of Candidates to Diaconate andPriesthood:

Upon recommendation of candidates for the Diaconate received from Rectors of Major Seminaries, the Candidates meet the Bishop personally. As special requirement laid downby the Provincial Bishops, the Candidates will complete their Four Years of Theologyand return to the Diocese. Prior to the date of their ordination to Diaconate which theBishop decides, there will be publication of banns on a Sunday in the native parishes of the Candidates for Diaconate. The respective parish priests will receive orders from theBishop to this effect alongwith a formula of for bann. They will be ordained Deacons at

the Bishop’s Chapel or the Sacred Hearts’ Cathedral and will have a planned DiaconateMinistry for a full year before their ordination to Priesthood. Banns will be published inthe parishes of the Diaconate Ministry on a date to be decided by the Bishop beforeordination for Priesthood.

XI. Choice of places and expenses for Ordinations to Priesthood in the diocese :

With a view to encourage priests and people to gather together to pray and celebrate thejoy of Ordination to priesthood, the Holy Mass of the Ordination to Priesthood will takeplace at the Sacred Hearts’ Cathedral and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at Vallioor or theVicariate Centres. The expenses on the Day of Ordination to Priesthood in these Centreswill be borne by the Diocese. This apart a visible sign of sharing in the name of thePresbyteirum of the Diocese, the Bishop may decide for each year with the College of Consultors a token amount of money for each of the Candidates towards their ordinationexpenses.

12



4. All the Diocesan Commissions in ways appropriate to the nature of their mission willdrive home ideas pertinent to vocation to different segments of people in parishes,vicariates or diocese as a whole and

encourage them to form Parish Vocation Cells that will help parish priests to identifyyoung boys and girls for priesthood and religious life. ( Diocesan Synod: Vocationand Religious 2.01 )

The parish priests are exhorted to sow the seeds of vocation in the young minds bytheir own exemplary life. ( D.Synod: Vocation and Religious 2.02 )

The Diocesan Vocation Promoter who is also the Rector of the Little Flower Seminary,in liaison with the parish priests, the Diocesan Directors of Youth and Education, willcontinue to visit parishes, schools and youth meets to enlighten and encouragevocations. ( D.Synod: Vocation and Religious 2.03 )

As the Diocesan Synod attaches preeminent importance to promotion of the people of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the life and mission of the diocese, theDiocesan Vocation Commission jointly with the Diocesan SC/ST Commission will takeall possible efforts to identify, encourage and help vocations to priesthood and religiouslife from among the young people of the SC/ST origin.

II. Vocation Camps: Stages of Discernment Process before Selection Camp

The boys and girls who are identified in parishes through the Parish Vocation Cells andthrough the Diocesan SC/ST, Youth and Education Commissions to diocesan priesthoodor religious life, will go through a serious discernment process in the Vocation Campsorganized in the Vicariates of the Diocese.

13



The Vocation Camps in Vicariates are to be jointly organized by the Diocesan VocationCommission and the Diocesan CRI Unit. The CRI Members taking part in VocationCamps in the vicariates.

1.3 Fostering Priestly Vocation

The Christian Community, which lives faithfully its Christian commitment is the best soilin which priestly vocations take root and grow. Fostering priestly vocations is theresponsibility of the whole Christian community (cf OT 2), family, parish, school, priest,Religious, laity and others. They should encourage and help a young man to discern hisvocation.1.3 a. The FamilyFamilies which are animated by a spirit of faith, love, piety and commitment to their Christian vocation, make the greatest contribution to the fostering of priestly vocations(cf OT2).Families will fulfill this responsibility when a) parents are aware of their role in fosteringpriestly vocation; b) vocation promotion is directed to helping parents and children grow

in their Christian vocation and commitment; c) prayer, especially family prayer, becomesan important part of family life.1.3 b. The ParishA dynamic parish community, which is faithful to its call to holiness and to itsparticipation in the mission of the church, is the seedbed of priestly vocations. Such asdynamic community will result when the faithful enter intensely into the life of the parishby obeying the word of God, by celebrating the Lord’s day and by participating in thevarious forms of the apostolate.1.3 c. SchoolsWhen the Catholic school lives up to its vocation within the mission of the Church, thestudent will more easily hear the call of the Lord to dedicate himself to the priesthood bywhich he may promote effectively the welfare of society and serve the advancement of the Kingdom of God.Under certain socio-economic and cultural conditions, Apostolic Schools may serve as auseful means of promoting vocations.1.3 d. Witness of PriestsPriests ministering in parishes who are imbued with the spirit of prayer, service,simplicity of life, austerity and true paschal joy (cf P:O11) will always be powerful rolemodels and the best inspiration for promoting vocation. This witness will include tellingothers especially young people the story of their own priestly vocation, its challenges, itsjoy and personal fulfillment its brings as well as encouraging and accompanying possiblecandidates to the priesthood.

1.4 The Diocesan Vocation CommissionThe priorities of services and modalities of operation by the Diocesan VocationCommission then are to be set by a competent group consisting of exemplary andcommitted lay people and Religious in parishes who volunteer to serve in cooperationwith the parish, vicariate and diocesan vocation commissions.

14



The parish vocation commission under the direction of the parish priests, gather, inspireand initiate young men into different parish associations attending to different forms of apostolate and build their spirit to be enlightened by the word of God thereby inculcatingan attitude of readiness to dedicate themselves for ministry in the Church or service tosociety. The parish vocation commission finally identifies from among these boys who

manifest signs of consistency in behavior, constantancy in prayer and desire for sincerecommitment.As the activities of the vocation commission concern people in different age groups,status and interests of service, the vocation commission at the diocesan level will planand set targets jointly with Youth, SC/ST, Liturgy, Family, Education, Pious Associationsand Charismatic Renewal Commission and work out a coordinating mechanism at thevicariate level with a separate vicariate acting wing to inspire, invite, gather, train peoplein order to build the basic parish vocation commissions and get then activated in parishmilieu.

1.5 Vocation Promotion ProgrammesThe method of carrying out vocation promotion is geared towards gatheringrepresentatives of parish vocation commission in each vicariate and conduct the vocationcamps during the weeks immediately following Easter Sunday in the vicariates of thediocese where in students identified by the parish vocation commission from IX std up toXII std are accompanied to take part. those students who have completed XII Std and gotrecommended by the parish priest in the name of the parish vocation commission attendthe first level Interview for entering Little flower Seminary at these vicariate vocationcamps.At the same time programmes such as retreats, one day camps in Higher SecondarySchools on life orientation, family prayer groups, exhibitions, Vocation Sundaysassociations of altar servers, youth etc, play an important role in promoting the spirit of priestly vocations. These programmes should be conducted regularly involving the parishrepresentatives in each vicariate.

2 Selection to the Minor Seminary

Visiting the families of the candidates will be the first step in enabling the vocationpromtoer to understand and discern their vocations.The selection of candidates for entrance to the minor seminary should be done carefullyby involving responsible and competent people at various stages before reaching the levelof the Diocesan Vocation Director and the Bishop. The vocation promoter ensures that itis done at the vicariate level in and through the close monitoring system under the parishpriest by the parish vocation commission. The final decision regarding the selectionalways lies with the Bishop.To this end, the office of the Diocesan Vocation Director should be strengthened. TheBishop should make sure that exemplary priests are selected for this ministry, and thatthey are given proper training and preparation. The Diocesan Director and his teamshould make use of the human sciences in process of assessing candidates.

15



Selecting candidates at an early stage of life may have harmful psychological effects. For at this stage of their life, the candidates are too young to discern their vocation. Hence theselection requires a sufficient time for reflection and maturing.In this selection, besides the candidate’s spiritual orientation, also to be considered are hiphysical and psychological fitness, family background, and intellectual ability.

Normally candidates sent away by and congregation or seminary for any reason, are notto be admitted into another congregation or seminary. In case they are considered for readmission, a confidential report should be obtained rom the previous superiors. Thisreport must be treated as confidential.

3. Minor SeminaryLittle Flower Seminary, Tuticorin, the Diocesan Minor Seminary in an institution for candidates who have completed their XII std. or equivalent and show signs of a priestlyvocation. It is a place where they can reflect on, discover more deeply their vocation, andarrive at a free and responsible decision concerning it. It is an orientation institute sinceits students have not yet made a definite decision for the priesthood (cf RF 11; PPFI 5.6

a). The duration of the minor seminary programme is one year as decided by theProvinical Bishops.The Minor seminary programme consistent, as far as possible, at least on a regional basis.Care must be taken to assure that the formation at this stage fits the age and maturitylevel of candidates.Special care is to be given to the selection and preparation of priests who will work withseminarians at all levels of their formation. They are to have proper academic credentialsas required by their tasks and the formation necessary for this specialized ministry.The staffing of these minor seminaries is of the utmost importance. A sufficient number of priests should be trained for this purpose so that continuity and permanence among thestaff can be assured.

4. The Orientation or Initiation Programme

4.1 Spiritual Orientationthe guiding principle in the spiritual orientation of the students is that their life a becentered in Christ through personal and community prayer nourished by the Word of God. A meaningful participation in the Liturgy, especially Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconcilation, will help them experience Christ’s sanctifying presence in them and in thecommunity. Through Christ thus experienced, they will come to know the Father andlove Him and to have Christ-like concern for all their fellow human beings.At this stage they need to be guided by a competent spiritual director who will help themto be sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in their lives had to respond withgenerosity and courage.4.2 Personality Growth

16



The Orientation programme will help the students to be integrated as actively as possibleinto the religious, social and cultural life their milieu. Students are to maintain closesocial ties with their family and neighborhood.The healthy personality growth of the seminarians will lead them to accept personalresponsibility for their ideas and actions. They are to be helped to develop should

judgment and acquire a right scale of values. They are to be given sufficient scope for developing their gifts and talents for the service of others.4.3 Intellectual TrainingThe intellectual training will aim at gradually developing in the students sound studyhabits, taste for reading and degree of mental maturity which are indispensable for futurestudies in the seminary. Since students will normally be following university or equivalent courses during this period, they are top be given supplementary help andspecial guidance in developing a personal systematic and critical approach to their studies.Also at this stage, courses will help to train the candidates in the use of the library, proper reading habits, study and writing, in rhetoric and communication skills.

4.4 Freedom of ChoiceThe seminarians need to be given adequate help so that they can come to know andrecognize in themselves the physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual indication of vocation in general and of a priestly vocation in particular.Anything that could in the slightest degree diminish the freedom of choice of students atthis stage should be avoided with care. It must never be forgotten that, whereas some mayhave definitely accepted the priesthood their life-goal, others merely regard it as a seriouspossibility, and some may show hesitation or even grave doubts about their vocation.4.5 Sex EducationA prudent sex education should be imparted to the students with a view to helping themto acquire holistic attitude towards human sexuality and develop a healthy relationshiptowards the complementary sex. Keeping in mind the local custom the students may beallowed normal social contacts with girls. Emotional maturity in this area will enablethem to gradually discern their vocation to celibate life.4.6 Language StudiesDuring this period, students will make efforts to acquire a good knowledge of thelanguage of the region. A strong laboratory approach to teach students to have sufficientcommand of English for wider communication and as a library language is to bemaintained.4.7 University StudiesA university degree or a corresponding technical or professional qualification isstipulated by the Regional Bishops Council and the Provincial Board of Bishops for theseminarians after their year of Initiation. Upon completion of the year of Initiation atLittle Flower Seminary, the students are guided in their choice of courses, which will beuseful for their priestly formation, ecclesiastical studies studies and future ministry.In the cases of candidates who upon completion of university degrees apply to becomepriests of the diocese, they will go through one year of Initiation at Little Flower Seminary before being sent for Philosophy.

17



18

Fostering Vocations

Documents

Transcript of Fostering Vocations