The aim of the
Spiritual Formation Programme is thus to help the student
learn the life-long habit of living in intimate union with
Jesus Christ, constantly seeking his friendship. This involves
- learning the genuine
meaning of Christian prayer and prayerful reflection on the
Word of God, as put forward in the Church’s Scriptures
and Tradition, so as to become a man of God and one who can
help others turn to God;
- learning how to participate lovingly and actively in the
sacred mysteries, above all in daily Mass, the “summit
and source” of the sacraments and the Church’s
life; how to cultivate the virtue and discipline of the Sacrament
of Penance; and how to recite the Liturgy of the Hours so
as to become inserted in a living way in the Paschal Mystery;
and developing a spirit of humble and disinterested service
of others, especially the poor, with a love that is both strong
and tender, in imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so
as to become a man of charity living in obedience, celibacy
and self-denial.
Spiritual formation will also pay particular attention to
preparing the future-priest to know, appreciate, love and
live celibacy out of genuine evangelical, spiritual and pastoral
motives and in accordance with its true nature and purpose.
VARIOUS ELEMENTS
The Spiritual Formation Programme at Oscott is not the sole
responsibility of the College’s Spiritual Director but
is ‘harmoniously blended’ with the other dimensions
of formation. Its specific elements include:
- daily preparation and celebration of Mass, centre of College
life;
- regular exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
with the possibility of private prayer before the Blessed
Sacrament elsewhere in the College;
- the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours;
- frequent opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
- the cultivation of daily private prayer, meditation (alone
and with others), self-discipline and spiritual reading, especially
Scripture (lectio divina) and the classics;
- devotion to Mary and the saints, including the recitation
of the rosary;
- a weekly House Talk and Spiritual Conference;
- the provision of annual College retreats and occasional
days of recollection, as well as retreats in connection with
scrutinies and ministries, plus an annual pilgrimage;
- Year-specific courses on spirituality and Christian living;
- opportunities for more informal styles of communal prayer
such as in groups, together with developing the ability to
offer extempore prayer;
- personal self-denial and fasting in accord with the liturgical
season or need;
- appreciation of and familiarity with traditional Catholic
devotions as well as appreciating new movements and ways of
prayer
- the cultivation of a virtuous, morally converted life as
the Gospel requires.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
In addition, each Student is required to select a Spiritual
Director. Spiritual Direction in the Oscott context seeks to support,
advise and direct the student in his personal development
towards the overall goal of the formation programme in its
four-fold strands (human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral).
It helps him to discern further his priestly vocation and
to become better formed for service as a diocesan priest with
a clear sense of priestly identity and mission within contemporary
culture. Styles of spiritual direction will vary, but
- it is the responsibility of the Student to ensure regular
meetings (i.e. about once per month) with his spiritual director;
- in Year One, the student’s spiritual director will
be the College Spiritual Director, but after Year One students
are free to select a director from the approved list. Students
should inform the Rector of their choice and of any subsequent
change. Frequent change of directors is discouraged.
- Spiritual Direction will include preparation for the annual
scrutinies that form part of the Oscott Assessment Programme
together with the establishment of any subsequent goals;
- in the annual and other scrutinies, the comment or vote
of the student's spiritual director is never sought;
- whilst students are free to approach any confessor inside
or outside the seminary, Spiritual Direction at Oscott will
normally provide the opportunity for the student to celebrate
the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
- the effectiveness of spiritual direction is greatly determined
by the openness, honesty and trust with which a student reveals
himself to his director;
- Spiritual Direction should include some attention to and
supervision of the student’s spiritual reading;
- matters raised in Spiritual Direction by the student will
always be treated as confidential except where there is a
mandatory requirement upon the director of disclosure in case
of
- notification to do harm to self or another;
- the paramountcy principle
- illegal behaviour by self or others
- the student or director may suggest referral to professional
counselling services on particular issues of human development
- matters raised within the Sacrament of Reconciliation are
in the internal forum and bound by the “seal of the
confession.”
At Oscott, spiritual directors themselves will meet from
time to time.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the student at the start of each
Level of the formation programme and after each scrutiny or
assessment-period to discuss and work out with his Spiritual
Director a personal programme of spiritual formation for the
year ahead. The aim will be to develop the virtuous habits
of prayer and spiritual development. Whilst the specifics
of this will vary considerably according to need, each programme
will include at least the following common features:
- Mass each day;
- Morning Prayer each day, and Evening Prayer on Saturdays
and Sundays;
- attendance at the Holy Hour on Thursdays;
- in the First Year, meditation each morning;
- recitation of the Rosary on Saturdays.
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