How much has formation at St. Francis Xaviers changed over the years?
As seminarians tend to be much older by the time they are admitted to the seminary, as most of them are in their 30s and some even in their 40s, they are treated as mature adults. There is less emphasis on external observance of rules but on personal discipline and self-formation. Seminarians today are given more leeway to exercise their freedom in managing their timetable and activities. Today, greater emphasis is given to personalized formation. This entails much dialogue with the seminarians. They are invited for regular dialogue sessions with the various formators in charge of their specific area of formation. Through listening and regular exchanges between seminarians and formators, the work of formation is one of guidance and mentoring. Unlike in the past, where emphasis was given mostly to academic and spiritual formation, today what is sought is an integral formation that includes human, academic, spiritual and pastoral formation. However, human formation has a higher priority
