The goal of seminary formation is to prepare priests with a comprehensive pastoral outlook. The entire training for the priesthood must have a thoroughly pastoral slant, because the purpose of the seminary is to form pastors of souls and consequently the pastoral aspect must receive special emphasis in all the other areas of priestly formation (Optatam Totius, 19).
The seminarian should progressively acquire a pastoral attitude and try to develop in himself, along with a book-knowledge of the subject, those practical abilities that would enable him to bring Christ’s grace and teaching to all humankind. This demands that meaningful contacts be established between the seminary and the world outside, both in the church establishment and in lay society. It is there that the real field of the apostolate is to be found.
The pastoral training of a seminarian should include catechetics and homiletics, the administration of the sacraments, spiritual direction, parochial administration, pastoral joint action with non-Catholics, and other aspects necessary for the building up of the body of Christ. Seminarians should be imbued with a true spirit of Catholicism that transcends diocesan and national boundaries and barriers imposed by differences of rites, and be disposed open-heartedly to assist others (Ratio Fundamentalis, 94, 96).
Throughout the whole scholastic year as well as in vacation time, provided that the bishops think it fit, the seminarian should engage himself in practical works of apostolate that form a necessary part of the strictly pastoral training and should be introduced into them in accordance with his age and with local conditions (Ratio Fundamentalis, 97).
During the holidays and vacation periods, the seminarian is expected to help his parish priest in the liturgical functions and in the pastoral activities as necessary. He should offer this help willingly, gladly, and generously, with the sole intent of working for the glory of God and the good of souls, and not for any material gain or advantage.