The Gift of the Priestly Vocation: Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (Vatican Documents)

The formation of priests means following a singular journey of discipleship, which begins at Baptism, is perfected through the other sacraments of Christian Initiation, comes to be appreciated as the centre of ones life at the beginning of seminary formation, and continues through the whole of life. This Ratio Fundamentalis emphasises that formation - both initial and ongoing - must be seen through a unifying lens, which takes account of the four dimensions of formation proposed by Pastores Dabo Vobis. Together, these dimensions give shape and structure to the identity of the seminarian and the priest, and make him capable of that gift of self to the Church, which is the essence of pastoral charity.