After My Own Heart: From Man to Christian to Priest

Every High Priest is appointed to serve God and offer Sacrifices for sins (Hebrews 1:1)

The journey to priesthood is long and intensive. The period of formation differs from one region to another. In Nigeria, for instance, seminarians spend no less than ten years in formation, from the propaedeutic, philosophical, to theological formation, unlike their counterparts who study law, medicine, and other careers in conventional universities. The long period of formation is to adequately prepare well-equipped candidates to lead the people of God to the knowledge of Christ.

There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served." — Cor 12:5

The role of the ministry of acolytes in the Church is sacred; at the same time, it helps to facilitate worship. Etymologically, the term "acolyte" originates from the Greek word akoluthos, meaning "server," "companion" or "follower." Acolytes assist the anyone is deacon or priest at the altar. Their ministry therefore anchors on service to the Church and the people of God.

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations." —Mt 28:19

The work of Michael Salemi our seminarian is commendable. His work was fruitful and the parishioners benefited immensely from the column he created on the bulletin, where he shared his profound experiences on the seminary formation. He addressed a spectrum of issues bordering on formation. Michael’s legacy of the past months needs to be sustained. I therefore wish to step in to continue with the weekly sharing. Henceforth, our sharing will cut across a variety of topics towards deepening the faith journey of our parishioners.

"I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently" (Jer 3:15)

Human formation lays the building's foundation, spiritual formation builds the walls, intellectual formation supports the building, and pastoral formation is the roof of the structure that brings everything together and completes this analogy. If seminaries only focused on intellectual formation, they would be only forming theologians. If the focus was only spiritual, they would be forming contemplative monks. If the focus was only human, they would be forming counselors. The first three pillars are focused interiorly on the individual growth of the seminarian. The pastoral pillar enters each of these and transforms them to no longer be focused interiorly but exteriorly toward others. Clerics have a three-fold office to fulfill for their people -to teach, to govern, and to sanctify - and these offices are the exterior forms of the intellectual, human, and spiritual pillars.