diaconate_natali


diaconate_natali

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3. RUL'A/GS AND DIRECTIVES 55
examined in one of the two plenary sessions of the general council; they
should therefore be received in the months of May and November
respectively.
2. Examinatlon and evaluatlon ol the results ol the consultatlon
2.1 The sorting and scrutiny of the confreres' replies belongs to the
provincial. He will maintain a due reserve concerning both the replies of
individuals and the overall results, which cannot therefore be published.
2.2 The provincial will examine and analyse the indications given by the
confreres, so as to be able to complete with accuracy the appropriate forms
which the secretary general will send to all provincial offices. The provincial
will then send to the Rector Major a copy of each form.
2.3 The provincial, in the light of the results of the consultation and
after careful reflection and discernment, will make mature proposals. He
may naturally seek advice from responsible persons, but the nature of the
matter is such that it cannot be examined and voted on in the provincial
council.
2.4 Before the end of the. term of office of a provincial councillor or
councillors, the provincial will send his proposals to the Rector Major on
the appropriate forms, keeping in mind what is said in 1.4 above.
This process will come into force on 15 April 1985.
3.2 ADMISSION TO THE DIACONATE AND PRIESTHOOD
AND THE EXERCISE OF THE DIACONATE
.'1 Reason lor thls communlcallon
Towards the end of the GC22 the general council received a request
signed by more than 50 capitulars who asked for a clear, unambiguous
interpretation of the norrns of the CIC which regulate the duration of the
curriculum of priestly formation, admission to the diaconate and priesthood,
and the exercise of the diaconate, with special reference to salesian
formation.
2. Process lollowed
In its first session, immediately after the GC22, the general council
collected and studied some conclusions which were supported by the

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56 ACTS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL
weighty opinions of consultants and those with much experience in pastoral
practice. These were passed on by the Regionals in the meetings they had
with the provincials.
This gave rise in turn to further questions, suggestions and
interpretations. The same experts as before, with some further additions to
their number, studied the question again in the light of these further
requests and incentives, and there was a patient re-examination of all the
opinions expressed, in a common desire to reach an agreed conclusion
which would both respect the norms of canon law and at the same time
promote an efficacious formation through the exercise of the diaconate.
3. Perepectlve
Formational concern, which gives sense and value to the times and
manner of exercising the diaconate, carried most weight in the decisions of
the general council. These times and practices had not in the past been well
programmed, followed up and subsequently evaluated. On the other hand
the problem of deacons who abandon their vocation remains a serious and
painful reality for us. This communication and the accompanying small
document which will soon be sent to provincials, provincial formation
commissions and formation communities concerned, is meant to be read,
understood and put into practice by confreres who are aware that they share
a common responsibility in the same spirit and with the same intentions and
desires. The document is entitled: "Guidelines for the practice of the
diaconate in preparation for the priestly ministry".
4. Dlsposltlons
4.1 Duration of the carriculum for priestly formation
The formation curriculum for the philosophical and theological studies
must extend over six full years, of which two full years are to be devoted to
philosophy and four to theology. According to the CIC this curriculum can
be continuous or carried out in parts. The FSDB made the choice, in line
with our tradition, that it should be in two parts with the insertion between
the philosophical and theological studies of the period of pastoral experience
we know as practical training.
4.2 Admbsion to the diaconate
Ordination to the diaconate may take place only after the third year of
theological studies has been concluded. This holds good for every kind of
studentate, for formation communities, for faculties and for institutes
aggregated or affiliated to them.

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3. RUI'IVGS AND DIRECTIVES 57
4-3 Exercbe of the diaconate
After his ordination every deacon will already exercise his order during
the summer vacation period in liturgical and pastoral functions which offer
specific scope for it. During the fourth year of theology (in the case of
normal studentates, whether affiliated or not), or during the first year of
specialization (in the case of those taking the two-year course for the
licentiate or equivalent degree courses), the deacon will continue such
exercise, without intemrpting his prescribed studies.
It is important and indeed crucial that the exercise of the diaconate
shall in every case be carried out systematically and under grridance, with
opportune evaluation on the part of those in charge of formation.
The "appropriate time" referred to in can. 1032, $ 2 is to be measured
with respect to both the individual candidate and the characteristics of our
religious Institute, which has already provided for a previous solid pastoral
preparation. For us the "appropriate time" will be that indicated above.
To facilitate the implementing of these obligations some brief guidelines
will be drawn up and distributed, which may serve as points of reference for
formation communities and commissions in drawing up their own local
programmes. The priestly spirituality of Don Bosco will be the criterion
which determines the objectives and suitable means to achieve them, in
those areas to which we know we must give priority: the Word of God,
Liturgy, Catechesis and pastoral work in general, the pastoral use of
Reconciliation and the other sacraments, spiritual discernment, and various
techniques particularly related to parish work.
4.4 Admbsion to the priesthood
After the fourth year of theology or the first year of studies for the
licentiate, priestly ordination may be conferred.
4.5 Exceptional cases
If it should happen that a deacon, by way of exception, asks for a longer
time before seeking priestly ordination:
envis-agehdissmhooutlidvebse,
objectives
clarified;
and
if
possible
also
the
length
of
time
form-atiohne
should be placed in the best conditions
and reaching a mature decision;
for
continuing
his
comm- unhiitsy
ministerial
in which it
experience should be followed not
is carried out, but also by the provincial
only by
council;
the
and
it should be evaluated during the period concerned and not only at its
conclusion;
- the members of the community to which he belongs shall be asked

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58 ACTS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL
for their opinion in his regard, and the local council will accompany its
judgement with detailed motivations;
deac-on thtoe
provincial council, when
the priesthood, will take
considering
note of the
the admission
remarks made
of
in
the
the
scrutinies preceding hdmissions during the entire formation period.
4.6 The Ratio
All these norrns and motivations will be included in the text of the
FSDB, of which the revision is already in hand, so as to bring it up to date
with respect to the new CIC and our own particular law.
The general council considers these norms important and calls upon all
provincials to see that the practice in the field of formation in their own
province conforms completely to them. We are certain that, taken together
and because of the values they enshrine, they will help in the maturing of
vocational motivations and lay the foundations for an efficacious ministry
and for perseverance when vocational difficulties may arise.
3.3 CONCERNING THE INDULT FOR LEAVING THE INSTITUTE
Arr. 23 of the Constitutions expresses efficaciously the meaning of
salesian profession, and highlights its fundamental aspects:
disci-ple
"a sign of a loving encounter between the
who responds by giving himself totally to
Lord who calls
God and to his
and the
brothers
and sisters";
Chur--ch,a"otnhnroeobuolifggthahteiwomhnoosmsetaldmoefitny"ibscythroypicuhebesliicaslybmeboliiernevdeiinrngctiamhniamctoesnleyslfcciioonnussthelyecrmaetayeekdse"to;of
the
the
service of God";
Soci-ety
"a mutual commitment between
which receives him with joy".
the
professed
member
and
the
This total donation in complete liberty is made from the time of
temporary profession with the intention, explicitly indicated in the
profession formula, of offering himself to God for the whole of his life. It
reaches its culmination and takes on a special irrevocable aspect at
perpetual profession, which is made when the member "has reached the
level of salesian spiritual maturity commensurate with the importance of
such a step" (C 117).
It is easy to understand therefore why can. 691, $ 1 of the CIC requires
that "a perpetually professed religious is not to seek an indult to leave the
Institute, except for very grave reasons, weighed before the Lord".