Our formation houses

Where are the formation houses? Who are the Novice Masters? Who cares for the young people in the scholasticates? Not everybody might be aware of where formation takes place in our Congregation. Yet, the period of initial formation is very important and even crucial, in some ways.
This year the NEF will quietly infiltrate the various communities engaged in discerning vocations and training young people to take decisions in order to fully live the consecrated life.
We will come to know those who were trained to be formators and are now spending their energies in this delicate and exciting service.
Then … fasten your seat belts: let’s begin.

Before beginning this round of the formation houses, it is relevant to underline the important work of vocation promotion carried out before the formation.

A vocation can only come from God: woe betide any man who attributes it to himself! But it is necessary to help young people know the voice of God, to make it more recognisable, to strive to overcome obstacles that arise, and what holiness is needed to do that! It is necessary to have a soul and heart empty of the things of earth and filled with God; soul and heart accustomed to hearing his voice so as to distinguish it, amidst the noises that deafen men, then point it out to them and, once known, to help them to accept it in spite of the world and the devil. (DS 278)

As an example of this kind of activity, we asked Fr Gustavo Agin scj, to bring up what is going on in the Region. We thank him for accepting to be concise in his contribution.

REGION: the ministry with the youth, the missionary pastoral ministry, the ministry in the colleges (fifteen) and in the parishes and the substations (fifteen) urged us to raise some questions about the vocation promotion.

Vicariate of Paraguay: young people are invited for a Vocation Day, twice a year. Some religious are available for spiritual direction: Fr Osmar (formator), Fr Raul, Fr Alberto and Br Sixto. On average, every year there are three postulants (in 2015 there are possibly five). Usually they hail from rural or urban areas.

Vicariate of Brazil: the young people are guided by Fr Eder (formator of the aspirants). He meets their families and their Parish Priests. Fr Jefferson cooperates with the team, keeps contacts through the social networks, etc… Fr Glecimar (formator of the Postulants) guides the young people and organizes the Spiritual Exercises. The seven newly-ordained priests are involved in vocation promotion. On average, every year there are two or three postulants. In 2015 there will be two hailing from parishes of Minas Gerais and of San Paolo.

Vicariate of Argentina-Uruguay: in Argentina we provide personal accompaniment. The young people are small in number but fairly perseverant. On average, every year one young person joins the Postulancy. Fr Daniel and Fr Sebastian along with some other religious or lay persons offer their guidance to college students involved in the missionary pastoral ministry or youth ministry. In Uruguay the missionaries are looking for the “Uruguayan Candidate” . God will provide.

The Region relies mainly on the Regional Team for Vocation Promotion and Formation. This group gathers twice a year with the Regional Vicars (Fr Mauro and Fr Daniel, formators) and implements the Regional Project of formation, following to the Ratio Formations.

Gustavo Agín scj