PART V FORMATION CHAPTER I PRINCIPLES OF FORMATION Purpose of Formation 154The purpose of religious formation is not only the attainment of the full maturity which is required of a Christian man, but also preparation for a life to be lived according to the spirit and laws of the Congregation and for carrying out the apostolic works which are consistent with its nature and goals. During this period of formation, the Congregation and the candidate should become mutually acquainted, and the candidate’s vocation should be put to the test, discerned, and strengthened. OT 11 Christ—the Supreme Teacher 155In our religious and priestly preparation, just as in our whole life, we strive to follow Christ, the Supreme Teacher and model, for the formation of souls, seek Him, and become like Him in all respects, by faithfully reading the Word of God and meditating upon it, as well as by actively participating in the life of the Church. We shall be able to bring Christ everywhere and to renew the world in Him only insofar as we ourselves are imbued with His spirit and strengthened by His grace. Eph 1:10; PC 2 Mary Immaculate—Exemplar of the New Man 156In Mary Immaculate, under whose maternal protection Jesus grew in wisdom and grace before God and men and attained the full perfection of His human nature, we recognize the admirable exemplar of that new man who lives
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