Prague - Ratio Formationis Ordinis

September 20, 2017
Published in Formation

Delegates from the Circumscriptions of the four European Conferences (CENOC, CECOC, CimpCap, and CIC) met from August 27 to 31 at the friary of the Provincial Curia of the Czech Republic, where they reflected on the three topics that will be treated in the appendices to the Ratio formationis of the Order: psycho-sexual affective maturity, the Ratio studiorum, and inter-culturality.

The meeting—the second of four—was organized by the General Secretariat of Formation of the Capuchin friars in order to hear the different voices that will contribute to the text of the Ratio, which itself will be presented to the General Chapter next year. In addition to the General Minister, Br. Mauro Jöhri, and the General Vicar, Br. Štefan Kožuh, also present were the other General Councilors Br. Pio Murat and Br. Raffaele Della Torre.

Introduction to the meeting - in Italian

Each day had a similar structure: in the morning the Eucharist was celebrated together with Morning Prayer and then after breakfast the meeting began with a brief meditation on a Biblical verse, as proposed by Br. Victor Herrero (Province of Spain). Then there were talks by different brothers before the participants divided into five groups to discuss questions set out by the speaker. At the end of the morning there was sharing in plenary session. After lunch and a short rest, the work began again in the groups on the various topics in the light of points that have come up in the different Conferences and the new insights on the theme of the day were again brought to the full assembly. Then there was Evening Prayer in chapel before supper and some time together after: one evening there were welcoming refreshments and on another there was a screening of the film Spotlight, on the theme of sexual abuse, which was then also discussed in the groups. On another evening there was a meal in a restaurant and a chance to have ice cream while visiting the city. On the final evening the participants went to pray in the church of Our Lady of Victory before the miraculous Infant of Prague.

On Sunday afternoon, the first day, the work began. After a brief greeting from Br. Štefan Kožuh, the General Vicar, and by the brothers of the General Secretariat of Formation, Br. Charles Alphonse and Br. Jaime Rey, there were presentations from the four Conferences which included data, the problems they face, and their perspectives on formation in their respective circumscriptions.

Monday was dedicated to the topic of affective maturity, with a presentation by Br. Charles Alphonse. Tuesday was the turn of the General Minister, Br. Mauro Jöhri, who presented on the topic of inter-culturality. On Wednesday Br. Jaime spoke on the question of studies. On Thursday morning, Sr. Rachel, a Capuchin Sister from the Czech Republic, synthesized the various talks, offering her point of view on the various questions and proposing certain paths for further work, possible directions which will be useful for those who have to translate what was done into the Ratio formationis document.

The warm welcome on the part of the Provincial Curia in the person of the Provincial Minister, Br. Bonaventure, created a very peaceful and fraternal atmosphere, which was a great support in discussing the challenges of formation in this last year before the General Chapter.