National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

Dimensions in the Formation of Deacons59post-ordination program for continuing education and formation.Before ordination, the deacon candidate must demonstrate competencein all these areas.Pastoral Dimension126. An integral formation must relate the human, spiritual, andintellectual dimensions to pastoral practice. “The whole formationimparted to [the participants] . . . aims at preparing them to enterinto communion with the charity of Christ. . . . Hence their formationin its different aspects must have a fundamentally pastoral character.”40 Within that context, the pastoral dimension in formation isnot merely an apprenticeship to familiarize the participant in diaconalformation with some pastoral techniques. Its aim, however, isto initiate the aspirant and candidate into the sensitivity of what itmeans to be a disciple of Jesus, who came to serve and not be served.Pastoral field education embodies this orientation, promoting learningthrough active engagement in a pastoral situation. Pastoral fieldeducation fosters a general integration in the formational processforging a close link between the human, spiritual, and intellectualdimensions in formation. Evangelization; Catholic schools; catechetics;religious education; youth ministry, social justice outreachopportunities; rural ministry; ecumenism; the care of the sick, elderly,and dying; as well as service opportunities in varied cultural settingsindicate the breadth of experiences to which an aspirant and candidatesmay be exposed in the course of his pastoral field-education program.Integrating role ofpastoral formationOBJECTIVES127. The pastoral dimension in diaconal formation shouldstrengthen and enhance the exercise of the prophetic, priestly, andservant-leadership functions—deriving from his baptismal consecration—alreadylived and exercised by the participant in diaconal formation.In each path in formation, they must be taught how to proclaimthe Christian message and teach it, how to lead others in communalcelebrations of liturgical prayer, and how to witness to theChurch in a Christian service marked by charity and justice. Thedemonstration of pastoral skills is a crucial element in the assessmentof fitness for ordination. Therefore, the qualities to be developedfor these tasks are as follows: a spirit of pastoral responsibilityand servant-leadership; generosity and perseverance; creativity;respect for ecclesial communion; and filial obedience to the bishop.Objectives of thepastoral dimension