For the formation of religious and seminarians

May 03, 2024

Prayer Prism - Fr Fabian Dicom

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ prayer intention for May: For the Formation of Religious and Seminarians. We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel, reminded me of his words: “The priest who seldom goes out of himself … misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. … This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, lose heart and become, in a sense, collectors of antiquities or novelties — instead of being shepherds living with ‘the smell of the sheep.’ This is what I am asking you — be shepherds with the smell of sheep.” — Pope Francis’ address to the world’s priests at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday March 28, 2013.

From the beginning of his pontificate the Holy Father has been very concerned about the life of priests and religious, constantly seeking ways to help us live our call to the fullest. Pope Francis often emphasises the importance of humility, simplicity, and service as key concerns and challenges for priests and religious. He frequently calls on clergy to be close to the people they serve, to live lives of simplicity and modesty, and to prioritise caring for the marginalised and vulnerable, thus establishing the Lord’s kingdom of justice and peace.

And therefore, I reached out to lay faithful in Malaysia to understand their expectations of priests and religious women and men. I was heartened by the response: 117 individuals eagerly shared their insights through a brief questionnaire. I commend each of them for their deep, honest, and constructive feedback. Although this article cannot fully capture the richness of their input, I assure the respondents that I will compile all the responses and provide them to those responsible for formation in seminaries and religious houses.

The respondents’ contributions provide valuable insight into the expectations of the lay faithful and offer recommendations to help these expectations become reality. Their perspectives, summarised here, reflect a collective desire for a deeper engagement and understanding between clergy, religious, and the communities they serve.

According to the survey, today’s priests and religious are expected to embody compassion, humility, and authenticity while addressing the needs of their community. They are to also embody a genuine care and understanding for their congregations, effectively guiding, and collaborating for community improvement. Addressing contemporary issues, offering practical spiritual guidance and support, and living lives reflecting Gospel teachings while adapting to modern challenges are inherent. They are expected to actively engage and include, particularly the youth, utilising technology for communication and outreach. Promoting gender equality and serving as mentors and role models are expected as well.

To meet these expectations, the respondents in general feel holistic formation is key, integrating theological studies with practical skills such as human psychology, oratory, basic accounting, and corporate managerial skills. It is crucial to incorporate Church history, Catholic apologetics, and evangelisation training. Emphasis should be placed on practical application, with training focusing on real-world use of theological knowledge. Continual formation is vital, with regular refresher courses, continuing education modules, and exposure to secular workplaces providing ongoing development.

And the following are more concrete suggestions:

Nurturing a Personal Relationship with Jesus
This involves deeply internalising His teachings and personifying His compassionate and selfless spirit. The ethos is centred around Jesus Himself, aspiring to become true disciples who walk in His footsteps and emulate His love, mercy, and wisdom. Cultivating this intimate connection with Jesus is seen as foundational, guiding seminarians and religious individuals to take on the heart and mind of Jesus, thus shaping their lives and ministry in His image.

Formation for Religious Women and Men
A deeper understanding and practice of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience are essential. Training should focus on spirituality, community living, and service. Additionally, training in theology, human psychology, leadership skills, and practical oratory skills is crucial for effective ministry.

Leadership and People Management Training
One crucial aspect of religious leadership is effective people management. Continuous training in people management equips them to navigate the complexities of parish and community life and make informed decisions on behalf of the congregation and members of the community.

Public Speaking and Sermon Construction Formation
Formation in public speaking and sermon construction is crucial for crafting and delivering engaging homilies. This training involves mastering techniques such as capturing attention, articulation, pacing, and strategic pauses. Continuous improvement and adaptation to the audience are key aspects of honing these skills.

Pastoral Immersion
Priests and religious benefit greatly from immersive pastoral experiences, including caring for the sick and living among marginalised communities. It’s essential for all seminarians and religious women and men to spend at least a year living among the poor, those in the periphery, and migrant and refugee communities during their formation. This experience offers them a first-hand encounter with the struggles, sufferings, and challenges faced by these communities, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy. Also, multilingualism is increasingly crucial for priests to better serve diverse communities with varying language needs.

Financial stewardship
Financial stewardship is crucial for responsibly managing the finances of a parish, religious institution, or an ecclesial project. Proper training ensures transparency and effective resource allocation, allowing future priests and religious women and men to manage fund raising and allocate resources efficiently. This promotes responsible handling of church finances and transparency in financial matters, ensuring resources are used effectively for the community’s benefit.

Self-Care and Well-Being
In the formation of seminarians and religious men and women, prioritising self-care and well-being is crucial. This involves regular medical check-ups to maintain physical health, personal time off for rest, and mentorship to prevent burnout. Medical check-ups ensure early detection of health issues, while personal time off allows for rest and balance. Mentorship helps identify signs of burnout and teaches stress management and coping skills, fostering holistic well-being and equipping them for their vocation.

In conclusion, I believe that the above insights, while not exhaustive of all the responses, nevertheless, both affirm and challenge our seminaries and religious formation houses. They remind us of our mission: to form women and men into credible witnesses of the Gospel. Let us, as we pray for this intention, pray also for all involved in this vital task of formation, both formators and those being formed. 

(Fr Fabian Dicom is the National Office Director for Caritas Malaysia.)