Formators pledge to be more human and to maintain a positive outlook towards the formees.

Benaulim, Goa May 11, 2024: The CCBI Commission for Vocations Seminaries Clergy and Religious (VSCR) organized one week training for the formators of Juniorate religious of second batch from 06th to 11th May 2024 at Shanti Sadan, Benaulim, Goa. This is training programme is primarily intended to sustain and nurture the vocations in the early stages of formation. 28 Juniorate religious formators from 16 congregations attended the programme. Fr. Eugene D Silva CSsR, Rector of Redemptorist Major Seminary, Varca celebrated the inaugural holy mass and emphasized that vocation comes from God and highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit as the primary formator in the journey towards priesthood and religious life Fr. Aleixo Menezes, former Rector of Patriarchal Seminary, Rachol and the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Church, Benaulim delivered keynote address and inaugurated the one-week training programme. 

The participants studied and reflected challenges in religious life today, emphasizing the essential qualities of religious individuals and the changing landscape of formation; the emotions, their various levels, and offered strategies for handling negative emotions; the importance of self-awareness for mental well-being and explored real-life scenarios to illustrate its application; Leadership skills, such as interpersonal relationships, effective communication, discernment in decision-making, and conflict management, were also addressed. Certain reflections on the rationale of early formation; mechanisms of understanding the candidates’ personality (developmental) growth and helping them to discern the Holy Spirit; techniques to foster vocations and experiencing community life and spiritual mentoring; formators roles; minors’ rights and POCSO Act and its implications in early formation stages; challenges of social media and digital awareness programmes; identifying of challenges in human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral orientation and various coping mechanisms practiced; sharing of best practices in the early formation houses. Frs. Aleixo Menezes, Joye James SJ, George Jackson and Charles Leon facilitated the sessions and workshops.

The formators expressed their desire to bring major shifts in the formators’ role which is gathered as fruits through the process of spiritual conversation as - from Religiosity to Spirituality; Rigidity to Flexibility; Activity-oriented to Goal-oriented; Head to Heart; Self-centered to God-centered Person; Hearing to Listening; Criticism to Creating Trust and Openness; Digital Illiteracy to Digital Awareness and Responsibility; Supervision to Accompaniment. They also revisited their role as formator and identified as they are Mentors, Motivators. Accompanying and Self Disciplined persons, Compassionate and Kind, Confidentiality, Emotional Connect, Accept and Treasure Multicultural, Available like Mother, Sister, and Brother, Caring and Loving Without Comparison. 

The participants had a pilgrimage to Old Goa and other centers of devotion. Fr. Duming Gonsalves, Administrator of Shanti Sadan coordinated the programme. 

Dr. Charles Leon