FORMATION FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
CHAPTER VI FORMATION FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
28. Spiritual leadership can attain its maximum effectiveness only through a diversified and thorough formation. This formation for spiritual leadership should rest upon those bases which have been stated and proclaimed by this most holy council in other documents.[1] In addition to the formation which is common for all Christians, many forms of spiritual leadership demand also a specific and particular formation because of the variety of persons and circumstances.
29. Since the baptized share in their own way in the mission of the People of God,
their spiritual leadership formation is specially characterized by the distinctively secular
and particular quality of the baptized state and by its own form of the spiritual life.
The formation for spiritual leadership
presupposes a certain human and well-rounded formation
adapted to the natural abilities and conditions of each baptized person.
Well-informed about the modern world,
the baptized person should be a member of his own community and adjusted to its culture.
This formation should be deemed the basis and condition for successful spiritual leadership.
To cultivate good human relations, truly human values must be fostered, especially the art of living fraternally and cooperating with others and of striking up friendly conversation with them.
Since formation for Christian spiritual leadership cannot consist in merely theoretical instruction,
from the beginning of their formation the baptized should gradually and prudently learn
how to view, judge and do all things in the light of faith
as well as to develop and improve themselves along with others through doing,
thereby entering into active service to the People of God [2]
30. The training for spiritual leadership should start with the children's earliest education.
In a special way, however, adolescents and young persons should be initiated into spiritual leadership and imbued with its spirit. This formation must be perfected throughout their whole life in keeping with the demands of new responsibilities. It is evident, therefore, that those who have the obligation to provide a Christian education also have the duty of providing formation for spiritual leadership.
The whole family in its common life, then, should be a sort of apprenticeship for spiritual leadership
Schools, colleges, and other Catholic educational institutions
also have the duty to develop a Catholic sense and spiritual leadership activity in young persons.
If young people lack this formation either because they do not attend these schools or because of any other reason, all the more should parents, pastors of souls, and spiritual leadership organizations attend to it. Teachers and educators on the other hand, who carry on a distinguished form of spiritual leadership of the baptized by their vocation and office, should be equipped with that learning and pedagogical skill that are needed for imparting such education effectively.
Likewise, lay groups and associations dedicated to spiritual leadership or other supernatural goals, should carefully and assiduously promote formation for Christian leadership
in keeping with their purpose and condition.[4]
Frequently these groups are the ordinary vehicle for harmonious formation for spiritual leadership inasmuch as they provide doctrinal, spiritual, and practical formation.
Their members meet in small groups with their associates or friends,
examine the methods and results of their spiritual leadership,
and compare their daily way of life with the Gospel.
Formation of this type must be so organized that it takes into account all baptized spiritual leadership,
which must be carried on not only among the organized groups themselves
but also in all circumstances throughout one's whole life,
especially one's professional and social life.
Indeed, everyone should diligently prepare himself for spiritual leadership
this preparation being the more urgent in adulthood.
For the advance of age brings with it a more open mind, enabling each person to detect more readily the talents with which God has enriched his soul and to exercise more effectively those charisms which the Holy Spirit has bestowed on him for the good of his brethren.
31. Various types of spiritual leadership demand also a specially suitable formation.
a) In regard to Christian leadership for evangelizing and sanctifying men, the baptized must be specially formed to engage in conversation with others, believers, or non-believers, in order to manifest Christ's message to all men.
b) In regard to the Christian renewal of the temporal order, the laity should be instructed in the true meaning and value of temporal things, both in themselves and in relation to all the aims of the human person. They should be trained in the right use of things and the organization of institutions, attentive always to the common good in line with the principles of the moral and social teaching of the Church. Laymen should above all learn the principles and conclusions of the social doctrine
c) The works of charity and mercy express the most striking testimony of the Christian life. Christian leadership formation should lead also to the performance of these works. The faithful should learn from childhood on to have compassion for their brethren and to be generous in helping those in need.
32. There are many aids for the baptized devoted to the Christian leadership namely, study sessions, congresses, periods of recollection, spiritual exercises, frequent meetings, conferences, books, and periodicals directed toward the acquisition of a deeper knowledge of sacred Scripture and Catholic doctrine, the nourishment of spiritual life, the discernment of world conditions, and the discovery and development of suitable methods.[8]
28. Spiritual leadership can attain its maximum effectiveness only through a diversified and thorough formation. This formation for spiritual leadership should rest upon those bases which have been stated and proclaimed by this most holy council in other documents.[1] In addition to the formation which is common for all Christians, many forms of spiritual leadership demand also a specific and particular formation because of the variety of persons and circumstances.
29. Since the baptized share in their own way in the mission of the People of God,
their spiritual leadership formation is specially characterized by the distinctively secular
and particular quality of the baptized state and by its own form of the spiritual life.
The formation for spiritual leadership
presupposes a certain human and well-rounded formation
adapted to the natural abilities and conditions of each baptized person.
Well-informed about the modern world,
the baptized person should be a member of his own community and adjusted to its culture.
This formation should be deemed the basis and condition for successful spiritual leadership.
To cultivate good human relations, truly human values must be fostered, especially the art of living fraternally and cooperating with others and of striking up friendly conversation with them.
Since formation for Christian spiritual leadership cannot consist in merely theoretical instruction,
from the beginning of their formation the baptized should gradually and prudently learn
how to view, judge and do all things in the light of faith
as well as to develop and improve themselves along with others through doing,
thereby entering into active service to the People of God [2]
30. The training for spiritual leadership should start with the children's earliest education.
In a special way, however, adolescents and young persons should be initiated into spiritual leadership and imbued with its spirit. This formation must be perfected throughout their whole life in keeping with the demands of new responsibilities. It is evident, therefore, that those who have the obligation to provide a Christian education also have the duty of providing formation for spiritual leadership.
The whole family in its common life, then, should be a sort of apprenticeship for spiritual leadership
Schools, colleges, and other Catholic educational institutions
also have the duty to develop a Catholic sense and spiritual leadership activity in young persons.
If young people lack this formation either because they do not attend these schools or because of any other reason, all the more should parents, pastors of souls, and spiritual leadership organizations attend to it. Teachers and educators on the other hand, who carry on a distinguished form of spiritual leadership of the baptized by their vocation and office, should be equipped with that learning and pedagogical skill that are needed for imparting such education effectively.
Likewise, lay groups and associations dedicated to spiritual leadership or other supernatural goals, should carefully and assiduously promote formation for Christian leadership
in keeping with their purpose and condition.[4]
Frequently these groups are the ordinary vehicle for harmonious formation for spiritual leadership inasmuch as they provide doctrinal, spiritual, and practical formation.
Their members meet in small groups with their associates or friends,
examine the methods and results of their spiritual leadership,
and compare their daily way of life with the Gospel.
Formation of this type must be so organized that it takes into account all baptized spiritual leadership,
which must be carried on not only among the organized groups themselves
but also in all circumstances throughout one's whole life,
especially one's professional and social life.
Indeed, everyone should diligently prepare himself for spiritual leadership
this preparation being the more urgent in adulthood.
For the advance of age brings with it a more open mind, enabling each person to detect more readily the talents with which God has enriched his soul and to exercise more effectively those charisms which the Holy Spirit has bestowed on him for the good of his brethren.
31. Various types of spiritual leadership demand also a specially suitable formation.
a) In regard to Christian leadership for evangelizing and sanctifying men, the baptized must be specially formed to engage in conversation with others, believers, or non-believers, in order to manifest Christ's message to all men.
b) In regard to the Christian renewal of the temporal order, the laity should be instructed in the true meaning and value of temporal things, both in themselves and in relation to all the aims of the human person. They should be trained in the right use of things and the organization of institutions, attentive always to the common good in line with the principles of the moral and social teaching of the Church. Laymen should above all learn the principles and conclusions of the social doctrine
c) The works of charity and mercy express the most striking testimony of the Christian life. Christian leadership formation should lead also to the performance of these works. The faithful should learn from childhood on to have compassion for their brethren and to be generous in helping those in need.
32. There are many aids for the baptized devoted to the Christian leadership namely, study sessions, congresses, periods of recollection, spiritual exercises, frequent meetings, conferences, books, and periodicals directed toward the acquisition of a deeper knowledge of sacred Scripture and Catholic doctrine, the nourishment of spiritual life, the discernment of world conditions, and the discovery and development of suitable methods.[8]