In Pastores Dabo Vobis, Pope John Paul gives two reasons for highlighting human formation (par.43). On the one hand, the priest is a "living image" of Jesus, and so the "human perfection which shines forth in the incarnate Son of God" should be evident in the priest as well. On the other hand, the priest's ministry is directed to his fellow human beings, and he will be effective only to the degree that his own humanity serves as a bridge between God and human beings. The priest must be "humanly as credible and acceptable as possible."

The seminary has adopted the four dimensions of human formation identified by John Paul II. First, it looks to shape candidates for the priesthood in the human virtues which are universally recognized as signs of maturity and integrity of life. Second, candidates should show that they know how to relate well to others since the priest is a "man of communion." To the third dimension of human formation, the Pope devotes most of his attention. This is the area of education in true and responsible love which results in affective maturity. All human beings need love and are stunted without it. Since human love involves physical, psychological and spiritual expression, the formation of candidates must include all these elements. Thus, part of priestly formation includes the understanding of human sexuality and celibate life. Future priests have to be formed to see celibacy not as the renunciation of love, but as an act of love, of giving of oneself completely to the Lord. This presupposes an experience of love as a human being and the freedom to love in a new way as a celibate for the sake of God's kingdom. Finally, no one can be fully human who does not have a well-formed conscience, and so the seminary assists candidates for the priesthood to grow in the moral life. Indeed, they cannot guide others in the formation of conscience if they themselves are wanting in moral discernment.