Formational Aptitudes in Formators and Formative Communities (Franciscan
Perspective) The main resource person for the Formator’s Conference was Rev. Fr.
Trevor D’souz, ofm. Some of the main insights of the resource person:
Today every religious institute is grappling with the task of forming its
young members.
The task is challenging for two reasons
1. Lack of trained personnel (formators) who can undertake the task of
formation with confidence and courage
2. Trained formators are always clamouring to move out or are elected to
positions of administration
The council of Trent 1545-1563: had a major impact on the formation of
priest and religious till the Vatican II
ü Prescriptive mentality; over emphasis on spiritual formation; totally
centred around vows.
ü Formation governed by detailed norms of canon law.
ü 1917 Code of Canon Law: excessive homogenization of Religious institutes;
extensive and minute legislation for Religious life
ü Individual charisms was not considered at all
ü The formative process of Trent dominated the Church for 500 years
In 1965, the decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious
lifemPerfectaeCaritatis, …”general principles of the adaptation and renewal
of the life and discipline of Religious Orders” (PC1)
1. The highest , ultimate and final norm of religious life is the following
of Christ as set forth in the gospels (PC 2a)
2. Each institute must have their own proper character and work. The spirit
and aims of each founder should be faithfully accepted and retained. The
traditions of the Institute should be honoured (PC 2b) (St. Antony for
money, St. padre Pio for money)
3. The purpose of the religious life is to help the members follow Christ
and be united to God through the profession of the evangelical counsels.
This must take precedence over even the active ministry (PC 2e). how do we
implement it in our formative processes? When we recruit vocations how do we
“bait” young boys? Do our formators give priority to formation as their
prime ministry or are yearning and busy with active ministry at the cost of
the ministry of formation? Is the formative community aware of this general
principle?
The pope reiterated the principles namely: “the obligation of religious to
be faithful to the spirit of obligation of religious to be faithful to the
spirit of their founders”; (ET 11) and “the supreme rule of the religious
life and its ultimate norm is that of following Christ according to the
teaching of the Gospel’ (ET 12)
