The Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, published by the Congregation for the Clergy in December 2016, reminds us that “seminarians, at various stages of their journey, need to be personally accompanied by those responsible for their formation.”
Seeking to serve the Church and, specifically, the formators of seminaries responsible for this “delicate mission of priestly formation” (DVP 132), the Instituto Sacerdos of the Pontifical Ateneo Regina Apostolorum organizes each year a course that, over the course of a month, addresses the most important topics in seminarian formation.
The XXVIII International Course for Seminary Formators, held in the summer at the Pontifical International Maria Mater Ecclesiae with the presence of 86 priests, began with five days of Ignatian spiritual exercises, preached by Father Bennet Tierney, LC.
“This course opened my eyes to the need to evangelize, but above all to the need to give testimony of priestly life. God’s people expect a lot from us. We must be able to bring people closer to God through the holiness of our lives,” commented Father Yesse Jean-Noel, from the Diocese of Berberati, Central African Republic.
Father Luis Ramírez, LC, coordinator of the Sacerdos Institute, said that “the course offers an update for those already engaged in the formation of future priests. It presents itself as an opportunity for study, deepening, and sharing experiences among formators responsible for accompanying the discernment, growth, and maturation of seminarians,” and in this line, various professors and specialists gave lectures on relevant topics for seminarian formators.
Among others, 24 rectors of seminaries, 3 vice-rectors, 30 formators, 6 spiritual directors, 1 vocations director, and 1 novice master attended. Participants came from 27 countries: Australia, Brazil, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“It’s never too late to learn. The training I received helped me and gave me the courage and joy to keep going. May the Spirit of God continue to animate and illuminate us so that each of us may be ‘another Christ’ and have the feelings of the Son,” commented Father Edouard Tsimba, from the Archdiocese of Bangui, Central African Republic.
A monographic workshop on discernment was offered, beginning with a presentation on “Christian Discernment” by Father Raffaele Di Muro, O.F.M.Conv., followed by a talk on “Vocation Discernment” given by Father Armando Santoro, O.M.V. Later, Father Amadeo Cencini, F.d.C.C., addressed the topic of “Discernment and Affectivity” for a morning. Finally, the course concluded with the topic of “Discernment and Conscience,” addressed by Monsignor Raffaelo Martinelli.
In addition to conferences and workshops, the course included moments of small group work, where cases and real situations were analyzed to practice decision-making through discussion and team listening.
“I loved the time I spent with other formators from different seminaries around the world. I enjoyed being together, praying together, and learning together because we are committed to the same ministry: forming future priests, shepherds who carry the smell of the people,” added Father Edouard Tsimba.
At the end, a team of 5 members from the team building led a team work day, where participants could practice all the skills addressed throughout the month.
The course was directed by Father Alex Yeung, LC, who relied on an auxiliary team composed of 1 priest and 14 brothers studying theology to follow up on secretarial, administrative, simultaneous translation, logistics, and liturgical needs, which, together with the moments of extracurricular fellowship, are one of the pillars of communion in this course.
