A valuable part of a seminarian’s formation is the personal accompaniment and guidance he receives from his grade formator. The grade formator is a monk entrusted with the responsibility of watching more carefully over the well-being of individual seminarians within a particular grade, and accompanying them both individually and as a grade.
Much of a seminarian’s growth occurs outside the classroom: in the freedom of the outdoors, in sports and play, in fulfilling responsibilities, and in ordinary social interactions. But the most important and most hidden growth occurs within his soul, in the development of virtue and the struggle against vice.
The time of adolescence is decisive for character, because it is especially then that we make the conscious choices that shape who we become. It is also the time when we most need someone to look up to, someone who is close enough to our own stage of life to understand us, yet far enough ahead to lead us.
Too often, young people are left with only their peers to fill this role. But their peers are frequently not up to the task, since they are still struggling to emerge from their own moral immaturity, and some have already lost the idealism they began with.
In fact, it is Christ who is able to bridge this most precious time of youth, who can restore and strengthen the innocence of the young and lead them into the maturity of holiness. It is also Christ who is the model for the grade formators as they strive to accompany those entrusted to them and carry out His command to love one another as He has loved us.
They strive to do this mostly by their presence, availability, and by the example of their own life, since actions speak louder than words. They also bring their own limited experience with life, and in some cases training, to help the seminarians navigate the storms of life. Depending on the age and interests of the grade, they also join in extracurricular activities and teach practical skills. When a seminarian is ready and seeks further guidance, the grade formator can direct him to a spiritual director.