Priestly Pastoral Theology for Seminarians

Description

A timely reminder to seminarians and their formators that becoming a priest is one thing, but being a ‘pastor’ is another matter! Pastoral Theology is what prepares seminarians to take on the “smell of the sheep” as so profoundly desired by Pope Francis, thereby fulfilling the aim of priestly formation, i.e., to be shepherds after the Lord’s own heart.

Pastoral theology per se presupposes a sound understanding of Scripture, dogma, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, moral theology, canon law and much else. The contents of this book aptly help raise the level of such understanding to the benefit of seminarian, pastor and sheep alike by pointing out in no uncertain terms that “a less knowledgeable faith ordinarily produces weak orthopraxis”. Put differently, a priest can be a good pastor precisely by being a man of ‘sound doctrine’ that makes pastoral theology come through as more than just an art besides orientating the disposition of his mind and heart that must mark his approach to his future flock.