Insisting on the necessity of adequate human formation for the future priests, Pope John Paul II writes in Pastores Dabo Vobis: “The whole work of priestly formation would be deprived of its necessary foundation if it lacked a suitable human formation…. Future priests should therefore cultivate a series of human qualities, not only out of proper concern for due growth and realization of self, but also with a view to the ministry” (43).
In a similar vein, the Charter of Priestly Formation for India says: “To be Christ-like the seminarian will strive to be fully human: a leader of people, gentle, kind, open and ready to listen, cheerful and patient, honest and true to his word, a man of respect, sincerity and courage, constantly concerned for truth and justice, unafraid to take decisions and persevering in carrying them out” (3.2.1.a).
Basing on this foundation, during his formative years, the seminarian learns to know, accept and respect himself with all his strengths and weakness, develops a positive self-image which enables him to face the challenges of life with self-confidence and without self-pity, discouragement or resentment. Besides emotional maturity, acceptance of others, listening and communication, leadership, responsibility and self-reliance are stressed so that the seminarian forms himself to be fully human as his Master. Two of the factors that are emphasized to foster human formation are community life, where love, understanding, acceptance and mutual concern prevail, and staff-student relationship on an adult-to-adult basis. To foster human formation, the seminary gives the required importance to discipline in life, asceticism and silence. Opportunities are provided and care is taken to see that they grow in these areas. They are counseled to grow in virtues like honesty, punctuality and cleanliness. Five days a week they have manual work and six days a week they have games. In order to foster sensitivity and concern for others, the students are encouraged to respond to situations like natural calamities, and they do respond by contributing a share of their pocket money and/or rendering manual labor.
In order to foster a sense of social responsibility, the representatives of students are elected to various departments involved in the smooth running of the Seminary. They have enough freedom and opportunity to show initiative, creativity, planning capacity and sense of responsibility. Likewise, organizing apostolic activities, conducting cultural programs, helping out in parish activities and interaction with the people of all walks of life during their weekend ministry in slums, hospitals, parishes and educational institutions enable them to grow in creativity and responsibility.
Interclass activities, meetings, picnics, birthday celebrations and other growth-promoting activities enable them to live and work with others despite personal differences and conflicts. Seminars and courses on self-awareness and integral growth, community building, sex education, male–female psychology, holistic health and pastoral psychology help the students to grow in self-knowledge and to attain emotional maturity as well as to function as good pastors in the future.