Some indices of personal growth

NO matter how imperfect and non-conclusive, it is always

helpful that priests, or anybody who has the duty to take care of

others, like parents and teachers, avail of some measurements or

indices that can show if there is progress and development in the

personal life of the those under their care.

            These indices will help them to be very effective in their

work, which means that they are truly helping those under their care.

Besides, these indices would allow them to discover more areas that

need to be looked into in their effort to guide souls. They can serve

as leading and directing guide to discover the more specific needs of

the people.

            Obviously, priests, and the others similarly situated,

should have a clear plan of formation for those under their care.

Depending on the concrete conditions of the parties involved, this

plan of formation may include doctrine classes, periods of

recollection and retreat, personal chats and mentoring, administering

of the sacraments, especially confession and the Holy Mass, etc.

            This plan of formation should cover the different aspects

of personal growth toward maturity. These can be in the human,

doctrinal, spiritual, apostolic and professional aspects. The

different virtues have to be explained well. Same with the doctrine of

our faith. The art of praying, making sacrifices, waging spiritual

struggle have to be taught. Concern for others has to instilled. Love

for study and work has to be instilled.

            These activities in this plan of formation should be

adapted to the level of the persons involved. We have to avoid being

too theoretical or the other extreme of being too practical in these

means of formation. And they have to be delivered in such a way that

those who receive them would really appreciate them. As much as

possible, the priests and others should show consistency between what

they preach and what they do.

            With this plan of formation taken care of, the priests and

the others similarly entrusted with the duty to take care of people

have to see to it that some progress and development can be observed

in the life of those they are giving guidance.

            For me, with the students that I am taking care of, I look

first of all if there is an improvement in the way they take care of

their appearance and their relation with others, that is, if they are

cultivating social skills which in some concrete terms means they do

less bullying and are learning to be more refined in their speech.

            I also look into how they are overcoming their shyness,

especially in approaching the sacraments of confession and the Holy

Mass. If they come to see me for some chat and spiritual direction and

eventually to open up his personal life and have a confession, I would

know that the student is improving spiritually.

            When they invite their friends to see me also, then I know

that they are developing an apostolic spirit. And when their grades

improve, I also would know that they are acquiring the proper

discipline of studying.

            I also look into their classrooms and see if they are

clean and orderly, the lights and fans turned off when these rooms are

empty. I also try to see if the noise they create are in proportion to

the specific circumstance they are in at a given moment.

            It is a matter of accompanying them, motivating them and

opening to them new horizons, new goals to reach. In this regard, it

is important that we win their friendship and confidence.

            Of course, they can commit mistakes and offenses against

school policies anytime. And when these happen, it is important that

they realize that they will always be understood even if some

appropriate penalties would be given.