Thinking ahead with God given hope
Interesting Suggestions for ongoing formation
It was an interesting sharing about the initiatives taken by different jurisdictions. Every year some have three or four ongoing formative initiatives taken for the entire custody. According to Br. Tanios, “this year the theme is about mercy, then mercy in sacrament, liturgy and mercy in Franciscan spirituality. For every session we call a specialist who remains with us. At the individual fraternal level friars take each theme and discuss at local context.”
According to Br. Pio, “Asmen is having a Theme, a small but positive project for this year on ‘identity and belonging.’ It is a type of ongoing formation for which we are preparing materials to be shared with the brothers. Because our reality is very small, I wish that there be a sincere reality of a dialogue.”
Consolidating the Fraternal life
The participants realized that in some jurisdictions the fraternal life has to be further strengthened because the parish activity brings in lots of commitments. There are only two friars animating the parish or in some places only one friar. They said that we still have many committed friars who are ready to sacrifice their time for forming the younger brothers despite the fact that the parish ministry is very lucrative which gives more individual activities.
According to Br. Morris Jalal, “For ongoing formation we meet once a month, which is obligatory, we call it a capuchin day. Then we pray together and discuss a letter from General Minister. We will ask a friar to introduce a theme and then apply it to our context in Pakistan. There is also an ongoing formation programme created by religious formation and it is co-ordinated by our friars also. There are also seminars where our brothers participate. We also meet every Monday as a fraternity to consolidate the community and fraternal life.”
Response from Genera Formation Secretariat
With gratitude joining Br. Jaime and the Order’s formative team Br. Charles Alphonse shared the following points with the participants:
“Understanding your difficult situations, I would like to say that if you read some of the materials that we put in our web and if you follow our course materials closely you may find some answers to your challenges, although may not be a full answer. And if you like you may inform us in time about your programme so that we may be able to give you some suggestions.”
“About the utility of SGF for Ongoing and initial formation in your difficult reality, I would say that our insight may help you find some answers if only you are willing to ask for our suggestions and then you are free to make your decision.” We also appreciate the initiatives taken by Br. Paul Kӧnig who time and again consults us in planning the formation and if you are also desiring to have our suggestions we will gladly do that for you.
-With the experience of conducting sessions around the world we may be able to help you with themes and experts in different fields. Our Brother Jaime and other brothers are in touch with the experts in different themes like Franciscan Spirituality, Bible and Human growth.
In all our formation programmes we are trying to addresses the challenges presented by Br. Mauro Jӧhri our General Minister and his Council so that our brothers are prepared to face them. While helping our brothers update their Biblical and Franciscan spiritual knowledge, we also give importance to Human formation so that they heal their memories and grow in affective maturity.
-We also invite you to read the materials we put in our blog and keep in touch with us so that you are able to update yourself. The reality is that many of our brothers don’t update themselves and it is manifest in their sermons and in their way of living. Ongoing formative realities may help you to motivate them and also to solve conflicts.
Ratio & Ongoing formation As we are working on the Ratio formationis questionnaire we further encouraged the participants to read the letter of Br. General on Ratio (found in our Order’s website) and also collaborate with the Custody Formation Secretary in making the friars participate in the Ratio process so that it itself will help them for ongoing formation.
-Ongoing formation is one of the way to revitalize our witness and presence. It may lead to new hope and renewal further.
[Thanks to Brs. Pio Murat and Paul Kӧnig for their invitation to be present during this meet and it was an experience like being there in those jurisdictions and participating in their journey of hope & Franciscan Meaning].
Charles Alphonse & Jaime Rey Ofm Cap