Reflection on Seminary Formation

In my part, to have that desire to become a Catholic priest is a matter of examining it through a process called discernment. Somehow a desire will come up or back up with pleasurable desires, even enviousness or whatever.
When I entered the seminary, I was surprised when the one who conducted the orientation shared to us that the seminary formation will take fifteen years. Yet, I immediately decided the right choice. Thank God for I was then accepted.
Along the formation I found myself incompetent and very much behind from others. I have two choices; to come up with the demands of formation or to leave the seminary. If I have to respond to the demands of formation, I will be growing though it is quite difficult. If I will leave the seminary; can the outside environment give or offer me a good formation? Of course not! Because a true vocation of the priesthood must be worked within the context of the seminary so that every aspect of a candidate’s life will be manifested sincerely and the authenticity of the call will be proven. What for are the years in the seminary? Formation must go in line with standard of the seminary. And the formation demands years and months and even specific time so that a candidate may be fashioned according to the standards of priesthood, formation integrated with different processes so that the church may be able to produce a well-equipped priest for the ministry. The Holy Father XVI says “It is right for the seminarians to remember that if the church demands much from them it is because they are to care for those whom Christ ransomed at such a high price.”
Therefore, it has to be tiring, it has difficulties, and it has to be demanding so that behind these reactions lie a true priest. In a book by Murray and Mangan, entitled ‘As the Seminarian So the Priest, Religious’ stated, “Nevertheless, the time allotted for his (the Seminarian) formation is crucial for the seminarians’ future life and ministry as priest of Jesus Christ. Embrace your years in the seminary!”
Years of formation in the seminary must be responded to properly and wholeheartedly so that our church may be able to assign priests in a fragile mission of the salvation of the souls paraphrasing what Don Bosco said, “Our business is to save souls.”
It could be an irony on the part of a future priest who does not know how to lead souls on the right path. Formation years could be years to be enjoyed and balanced so that a well-rounded , well-bred and well disciplined priest may come bringing the image figure of Christ and be the peoples’ inspiration to sanctity.
Why should I have to take it for granted?