TOWARDS THE CHAPTER 2009
COMBONI MISSIONARIES OF THE HEART OF JESUS
Theme Commission for Basic Formation and Vocations Promotion
"He appointed twelve: they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach with powers to cast out devils" (Mk. 3: 14)
A) On the journey towards the General Chapter 2009
Dear Confreres.
Warm greetings and a happy new Year: may it be filled with graces for all of you.
Introduction
1. As you know, the journey towards the special ordinary Genera] Chapter 2009 has started. The General Council has appointed theme commissions (Letter 01.11.' 07) to deepen some of the aspects and themes in view of its preparation. The theme commission for ret1ection on formation has come together in Rome from 3 to 10 January for their first meeting and has tried to take into consideration the orientations proposed by the GC for this work (see attachment).
In this document we have tried, first of all, to briefly recall the process done together as Institute in the field of formation during the last two decades, in order to better see where we stand in our preparation for 2009. A warm thanks to all those who have committed themselves on this journey!
The journey done together: from 1991 to today
2. The Rule of Life (n. 80) reminds us of the gratitude e~f the Institute lfnl'ards the Lord ~l the harvest for the gUt ~(vocations andfor its responsibility ~lprovicHng the young candidates yvith the elements fiR' basic and em-going formation in vieH' e?f an t:ttective missionar.v service in the consecrated life. For Comboni, indeed, the candidates' formation is the first and most important mission of the Institute (W 2678).
3. In '91, as the General Chapter said, the n11ssions inspire and determine the formation journey, so that the missionaries may be "holy and capable" (CA '9 Ln. 34). It is a working track we find again upheld in '97. Even the title of the Chapter Acts underlines it: "A fresh start from Mission". Weare confronted with some worrying situations in formations (nos. 138. 139 and 141: frailty, leaving. lack of continuity in the formation stages). We feel the urgency of giving a stronger missionary and Comboni imprint in the stage of the Scholasticate/CIF (no. 159). All the formators (novitiates, scholasticates and ClF) are invited to meet in an assembly for a revision of the formation style in the above stages (n. 143). The preparation of vocations promoters and fonnators shall continue to be a priority commitment (n. 144). The GC is asked to appoint a special committee to examine our formation system before the next lntercapitular Assembly (n. 145).
4. What was proposed by the General Chapter. finds its first implementation step towards its realisation in the Assembly at Pesaro (1999). The conclusions are we]] known to all and can be summarised into five priorities: a strong experience of God; sobriety as a requirement for the new style of being missionaries; to form community people: inculturation of f()fJnation and interculturality; personal assimilation of values. These "five priorities", approved by the lntercapitular Assembly 2000, were the guiding n01111S for the Document about "Evaluation of Formation" (2001).
5. In the General Chapter 2003 one feels the urgency of rediscovering in all its integrity and freshness what is truly Comboni mission: from here we have the journey of the Ratio Missionis as a
renewal process of the whole Institute. We continue to express the sincere desire of preparing fl1r the mission in the mission itself and of looking for new forms of missionary commitment from the beginning of formation (n. 64.2-3).
6. In continuity with the General Chapter, the vocation promoters and formators (postulancies) met in 2004 in continental assemblies, while the formators of Novitiates, Scholasticates and CIF met in 2005 in Palencia, for an evaluation of what had been done in the six-year period (from Pes<1l'0 onward) and for heading towards the future with hope. The then novices and scholastics have conaborated with their formators' reflection by answering a questionnaire prepared for the occaSIOn.
These assemblies have, first of an, underlined the importance of certain basic values, which were termed as "we cannot do without (irrinunciabili)", as a foundation to live with greater authenticity ollr missionary charisfll. It is a trait (habitus) which anows each one of us to go to the essential: to that consecration-faithfulness which identitles us as Comboni Missionaries.
7. In view of the Intercapitular Assembly 2006, the GC asked a commission to take up the work of
the Continental Assem blies of 2004 and of Palencia 2005, in order to present concrete proposals to the Intercontinental Assembly in Mexico. We know the decisions taken by the GC in answer to some requirements and chanenges especially for what concerns the stages of the Scholasticate/CIF (Letter of 8 Apri1200T).
The meetings of the General Council with the Provincial and Delegation Superiors during the fIrst months of 2007 were another and precious occasion for reflecting on the situation of vocation and formation at local levels. In 2006 and 2007 courses of ongoing formation for the educators (vocation promoters and fonnators at all stages) took place at continental levels (America and Africa). These courses will CatTY on during the present year (2008) in Europe.
In preparation for the year 2009
8. The ret1ection will continue, monitored by the work of the commISSIOn. In all these years' meetings and assemblies we had the opp0l1unity of doing a comprehensive analysis on the social, youth, ecclesial and Comboni situations which allow'ed us to put into fl1CUS, on the one hand, the resources and points of strength in order to qualify our missionary service and, on the other hand, to point out what was described as the "Achilles' tendon" ofComboni flwmation (Palencia 2005, n. 3). We find ourselves in complete agreement with the first stage of the process of the Ratio Missionis which has confirmed the results of our research and analysis (Report: "Reviewing the Mission, renewing ourselves" RM 2006).
The written documents on formation contain valid guidelines and suggestions. It is the praxis that at times has revealed itself as feeble and fragile. Some dit11culties are linked to the present world context. the youth situation and the search for what reany is today the specific meaning of Comboni Mission.
The process of the Ratio Missionis has now entered into the phase of discernment, concentrating on three specifIc areas: spirituality, identity/charism and mission/evangelisation "to pllt Comboniness into our evangelization. contemplation into our action. mission into our formation. animation and prophec:v into our visions" (Letter of the GC, Ratio Missionis, in discenunent towards the General Chapter 2009, 8 April 200T).
Starting ({Ire,'ih towards the 2009, we believe that our reflection should develop around ,'iome central themes which may become a turning point in the formation process and in line with what has alrem(JI been done in the past. JYe would like to stress, in particular, the centrali(JI of the "person", of the Comboniformation project and o.fits methodology.
For this we ask for the collaboration of the provincial and delegation Secretariat) for VP and BF, in order to organise and get all the confreres involved in this reflection.
B) Work suggestions for each theme
The heart of the formation journey
Formation, according to the Rule of Life (n. 21), is an itinerary to follow Christ as his disciples.
- In the personal encounter with Christ (RL 20-32)
- In Comhoni’s style (RL 1-9)
- For the Mission ad gentes (RL 56-79)
This is the underlining thread of the ref1ection we would like to carryon in view of the Chapter,
in synergy with the process of the Ratio Missionis.
Working methodology
* We have chosen four themes: the youth, the educators, the community and the Comboni
formation model.
* For each one of these we have underlined three parts:
1. An important point to help us to focus on the theme
2. One or two challenges to indicate some present weaknesses 3. Questions to help us in our ref1ection.
1. The youth
1.1 Today there are young people who feel attracted by the Comboni charism and persevere in their
missionary vocation. We thank the Lord for the gift of vocations to the Institute.
1.2 Challenge
The young people are sensitive to the world's problems, to the situations of justice and peace and to missionary problems. They find, instead, more difficult to take up and live the values of consecration and of a whole-life commitment. For this reason, the motivations for a Comboni option have to go through a journey of growth, purification and maturity.
1.3 Ouestions
1.3.1 How good are we in our attitude of listening, getting to know and welcoming the young
people in the various stages of vocation and formation process?
1.3.2. What are the main points of strength which help the young people and what are the difficulties and the resistances in persevering in their journey of discipleship, consecration and belongingness to the Institute?
2. Educators (vocation promoters and formators)
2.1 * Weare aware of the commitment and enthusiasm of many confreres in the missionary service of VP and BF.
* During the past years the Institute has invested in the preparation and ongoing formation of the educators (meetings. courses, specialisations...).
2.2 Challenges
* We are encountering some dif11culties in implementing the guidelines for a Comboni formation methodology.
* We also have the dit1iculty of finding confreres and communities available flJr a service in the VP and BF.
2.3. Ouestions
2.3.1 Does our life challenge and encourage young people to become joyful missionary-disciples? Which are the strong points in our witness and which are our weaknesses and frailties?
2.3.2 Do you, personally, feel the importance and the need of being on a continuous journey of ongoing formation? How are you able to value what you have experienced during the continental courses for educators provided by the Institute (S. Paolo, Layibi, Cotonou, Pesaro 2008)?
3. Cenacle of apostles - community
3.1 * "The call to the ivfission is indeed individual. but lived and expressed as conmwniZv. Personal charisma and gUts enrich the mission and make missionary service more frui(fitl" (AC '03 n. 83).
* Many communities are an example in welcoming the young people in formation.
3.2 Challenges
* The environment of a Comboni community life is the privileged place for a vocation and formation process.
* Face by a mentality and attitudes ever more rooted in a dynamic of individualistic protagonism, it is important to grow in a spirituality of communion.
3.3 Ouestions
3.3.1 Is your province/delegation implementing vocation and formators communities (places where promoters, formators, other confreres and young people in formation, all together, are involved in promoting Comboni vocations)?
3.3.2 What are the initiatives in your province/delegation for encouraging vocation promotion of the Brothers? In particular, what are the Brothers' communities that are committed to the work of human promotion (meaningful works) doing in promoting vocations to the Brotherhood?
3.3.3 Ho do communities show their witness, openness and welcoming of the young people in formation? In particular, aware of the decisions and guidelines on the GC with regard to the missionary service and the communities of insertion for scholastics, how do we fill invited to collaborate and share in this journey?
4. Comboni formation model
4.1 The document on the evaluation of formation has indicated a Comboni formation model and its methodology.
4.2 Challenges
* To pass from the documents to the formation praxis, while respecting the contextualisation
and inculturation in each continent.
* Gradualness and continuity in the various formation stages.
4.3 Ouestions
4.3.1 Do you think that in the Institute we are following a formation model? Which one? Describe it briet1y.
4.3.2 The continental assemblies of 2004 and Palencia 2005 have particularly stressed the fundamental values ewe cannot do withouC) of the COlnboni journey. How were these values integrated in your Educative Charts and in the Guidelines fi,)r vocation promotion?
4.3.3 In practice, what are we doing in the line of the process of inculturation of formation and in experiencing the value of interculturality? (Pesaro '99, n. 8).
5. Questions on other points
5.1 How to evaluate the idea of inter-provincial postulancies? (AC '03 n. 66.1 and "Guidelines after the continental meetings of the GC with the provincials/delegates", 8 April 2007).
5.2 How to improve the study and knowledge of languages during the formation stages?
5.3 Feel free to present other proposals and suggestions concerning the VP, the stages of BF, structures and time-length.
C) Working course of action
- Each theme refers to the various stages of the Comboni formation journey.
- All are all invited to answer: vocation promoters, formators, young people in formation, and confreres of the Province/Delegation.
- The Secretary General of VP and BF, together with the members of the Secretariat, will coordinate the work of reflection and make a synthesis of the answers.
- The confreres of the commission at continental level are available for further information and clarifications:
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