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

60Chapter 3Through his participation in pastoral field education, the participantshould have a genuine confidence in his abilities and a realistic senseof his limitations.Pastoral formationcontentPastoral formationinterfaces withspiritual formationPastoral theology128. Pastoral formation should take into account that thosepreparing for the diaconate have already been involved in the missionof the Church. The pastoral field education program should bedesigned, therefore, to build upon previous experiences and talentsalready displayed. In addition to identifying and developing the giftsalready at work, the pastoral dimension of formation should aim athelping the participant to discover talents, perhaps unrecognized,and to develop the skills necessary for exercising the threefold diaconalministry. A participant needs to demonstrate a genuine confidencein his own ability—a realistic sense of achieving the knowledgeand skills required for an effective diaconal ministry—and astrong desire to serve in a broad range of ministerial circumstances.129. Pastoral formation interfaces with spiritual formation. It is aformation for an ever-greater identification with the diakoniaentrusted to the Church by Christ. Care is to be taken to introducethe participant actively into the pastoral life of the diocesan Churchand to ensure periodic meetings with the diocesan bishop, priests,other deacons, religious, and laity serving in official ministry, toensure a coordinated unity for different pastoral activities. 41Supervised pastoral formation placements should be designed andadapted to the needs of the individual participant, helping him togradually and appropriately experience in his pastoral placementwhat he has learned in his study. 42 He should also be given ampleopportunities to share experiences with deacons already in ministry.130. Pastoral formation develops by means of a specific theologicaldiscipline and a practical internship. This theological discipline, traditionallycalled “pastoral theology,” is “a scientific reflection on theChurch as she is built up daily.” 43 The pastoral dimension of formationneeds to pay particular attention to the following elements.