The Ratio Formationis takes a step forward
- Published in Formation
The fourth meeting of the International Formation Council was held at the General Curia from November 20-26, 2016. Guided by the directors of the General Secretariat of Formation and encouraged by the important suggestions of the Salesian Fr. Beppe Roggia, the members of the Council continued the work on the Ratio formationis, which Br. Mauro Jöhri has called for and which will be the signature dish served up at our next General Chapter in 2018.
Where is the process of the Ratio? The first chapter, which is a short life of St. Francis, is already ready and is being translated into the different languages. The second will illustrate the five dimensions that, according to Vita consecrata and the other documents of the Church, cannot be lacking within a young person’s path of discernment, namely the human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral-missionary, and charismatic. The Council intends the third chapter to present the different phases of initial formation (postulancy, novitiate, and post-novitiate), highlighting in them their characteristic notes in the light of these five dimensions.
Video – introduction to the meeting
An objective of this recent meeting was to speak about these three stages and identify for each the needs and values that are essential for our Capuchin-Franciscan identity. First the members of the Council discussed the responses given by the friars of the world to the questionnaire. Then they reflected on initial formation both personally and in working groups, according to various talks that were given: Br. Carmine Ranieri spoke on the postulancy, Br. Próspero outlined the nature and purpose of the novitiate, and finally Br. Gaudence spoke on the post-novitiate considered in its various aspects.
The first fundamental objective, however, was clearly explained by the General Minister in his talk: the Ratio formationis will succeed only if all the brothers of the Order are involved in its preparation and in the creation of such an important document. This is why it was decided to extend the deadline for responses to the questionnaire into the time of Christmas, and why the role of the Councilors has been insisted on many times, such that within their conferences they can encourage and help everyone to participate, especially the provincial ministers and the formation directors.
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The following friars participated in the meeting: Br. Tomasz Protasiewicz (CECOC), Br. Eduard Rey (CIC), Br. Evandro Aparecido de Souza (CCB), Br. Gaudence Aikarawa (EACC), Br. Giampiero Cognigni (CIMPCAP), Br. Christi Francis (CCMSI), Br. Juan Pablo Lobos (CONCAM), Br. Kilian Ngitir (CONCAO), Br. Próspero Arciniegas (CCA), Br. Harald Weber (CENOC), Br. Clarence Hayat (ASMEN) and Br. Robert Williams (NAPCC). Also present were Br. Sergio Dal Moro, General Councilor, and Br. Mariosvaldo Florentino, who will be taking care of the final editing of the Ratio.
Mauro Scoccia OFM Cap.