This training seeks the personal, spiritual and intellectual growth and development of the candidate as he discerns whether God, through the Church, is indeed calling him to priestly ministry. The Formation of Students Allen Hall, following the guidelines of Pastores Dabo Vobis, seeks the best human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual formation of its students. The Formation Director, together with his team of Formation Advisors, is responsible for coordinating the formation and training of students. Every student is assigned to a Formation Advisor who will accompany him on his journey towards priesthood. In dialogue with the student, the Formation Advisor will seek to develop fully the human potential and the gifts of the student in order that he might be best prepared for priestly ministry.
Every student is required to see a spiritual director regularly.
In the initial period of formation this will be the College Spiritual Director. Later the student may choose, if he wishes, to see one of the external spiritual directors selected from the Colleges's approved list of spiritual directors. During his training in Allen Hall every student is required to gain pastoral experiences in parishes, schools and hospitals and, if appropriate, in a more specialized placement such as a hospice or prison. The Pastoral Director will help the student to reflect on his pastoral experiences both individually and with others. Allen Hall, in its intellectual formation of students, acknowledges the wide diversity of their age, culture, education and talent, and recognises the competencies and skills that they have already acquired in areas of study before entering formation.