Seminarium duchowne – miejsce i cel formacji kleryków do posługi kapłańskiej w diecezji. Studium analityczne treści przemówienia Jana Pawła II wygłoszonego podczas poświęcenia Wyższego Seminarium Duchownego w Koszalinie w 1991 roku

Abstract

This paper aims to present the nature and value of a theological seminary in the process of educating clerical students for the priesthood. The source base for this research objective was the speech of Pope John Paul II, which he gave during the consecration of the seminary building in Koszalin and his exhortation Pastores dabo vobis published a year later, i.e. in 1992. The achievement of the research objective was carried out in three stages. The first one concerned the unveiling of the structure of the theological seminary as an institution. Its essence was included in the concept of home by Pope John Paul II. In his speech in Koszalin, he clearly defined what this home would be like, namely the home of study, work on oneself, prayer and growth in a fraternal community. In this expression he included the nature of the theological seminary. In the second stage, the analytical research was aimed at presenting the purposes of the formation of clerical students for priestly service. In this speech, Pope John Paul II indicated four purposed of this formation, which derive from the concept of the theological seminary as a home of study, work on oneself, prayer and growth in a fraternal community. In the understanding of Pope John Paul II, the definition of seminary as a home of study cannot fail to correspond to the main purpose of its formative activity, namely to shape the minds of clerical students in the spirit of Christ’s Truth, which he included in the concept that they should be strong in mind. The definition of seminary as a home of work on oneself in terms of the pur posefulness of seminary formation is supposed to be the spiritual formation of clerical students, the essence of which was expressed by Pope John Paul II in the statement that they should be strong in spirit. Next, when the seminary is perceived as the home of prayer, its purpose in this space is to form the clerical students in prayer, which Pope John Paul II in his speech expressed in the concept of being strong in prayer. Finally, when we perceive the seminary as a home of growth for the clerical students in a fraternal community, its purpose in this respect is to shape them in an attitude of sensitivity towards their neighbours, which Pope John Paul II expressed in the concept of loving others. The third stage of analyses made it possible to present the topicality of the speech of Pope John Paul II, which he delivered during the dedication of the Higher Theological Seminary in Koszalin for the operation of theological seminaries and their formation of clerical students in the present reality. The analyses confirmed that the existence of theological seminaries is necessary, although in the current reality it is necessary to correct their functioning in relation to contemporary challenges.

Keywords

• pilgrimage
• Pope John Paul II
• seminary
• formation
• pastoral service