• Update: Sat, Jan 01, 2000 - eMail formgen@ofm.org

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    FORMATION: THE SITUATION TODAY

    A diagnosis of how formation, both initial and on-going, stands in the Order at the present time is not easy to make. What is true of the situation in one Entity is not necessarily so in another. However, bearing in mind observations made at meetings with the Ministers and formators in various Conferences (since the ’97 Chapter we have contacted 11 Conferences) and the sharing of friars’ views during visitation of Houses of Formation and at many other meetings in different Provinces, (and if only to point out and draw attention to aspects of formation in general), I offer the following synthesis under three headings: the opportunities, the difficulties, the challenges of formation today.

    I: FORMATION TODAY: LIGHTS

    1. New vocations:

    1. Many young people are still coming to us, attracted by the figure of Francis. In many places, Francis continues to be the "chief vocational animator".

    2. Of such not a few are willing to live our "forma vitae" in a thorough manner.

    3. Many of these are ready for spiritual and vocational "accompaniment" and decided on the question of serious vocation discernment.

    4. A fair number of the young, who are thinking of taking on the Franciscan life, have already some experience of prayer, of a variety of apostolic works, working with the poor, and so on. All of this, no doubt, facilitates vocation discernment.

    2. The "agents" of formation:

    1. Despite difficulties, which we shall mention further on, there are many formators truly interested in their work and dedicated in a generous exemplary spirit to the formation "ministry".

    2. There is an ever increasing awareness of the need to form the formators. This ensures that the formators are continually more active, throughout the Order in general and in the Conferences.

    3. In many of the Entities there is an increased awareness that On-going Formation is supportive of Initial Formation. For this reason, many Provinces strive to make On-going Formation truly one of the priorities of the friars.

    4. There exists also a growing sense that each friary, and the entire Province, is an "agent" of formation.

    5. For initial and on-going formation, the "Six-Year Term Priorities" are being kept in mind, and efforts are being made to give priority to specifically Franciscan aspects.

    II: FORMATION TODAY: SHADOWS

    1. Vocation numbers - the darker side:

    1. Vocation shrinkage in many Entities. This gives rise to anxiety among a considerable number of friars, with the risk of weakening the seriousness of our proposals; many disenchanted about the future; a resigned attitude in others; apathy in more than a few; the problem of keeping up a set number of formators; why train them if there are no candidates?

    2. A much reduced number of those in formation. This gives rise to discouragement in formators; the impossibility of correlating an individual to the group in formation.

    3. The Entities that have vocations find difficulty in discerning vocational motivation; positively relating to those in formation. The image of the master is still that of "dean of discipline".

    4. Even in instances where the number in formation is quite high, the result is a reduced family ambience and often a reduced sense of brotherhood; fewer possibilities for a more personalised formation; fewer possibilities of addressing "inculturation" in the life conditions of the local situation.

    2. The "agents" of formation - the darker side:

    1. Formators:

      1. Shortage of trained formators. In general they are improvised. Too often they are appointed simply because they are good friars or because they are "special".

      2. Formators do not always have the "requisite calling" for this "ministry". There are those, therefore, that accept it as a "job" or a "duty" under obedience.

      3. Many formators do not enjoy the freedom needed for this "priority ministry". There are those who are overloaded with other work at the same time, work which impedes their dedication to formation (their own included).

      4. An insufficient responsiveness to the importance of working in a team of formators. In many cases the Provincial "Coetus formatorum" does not function properly.

      5. Formators changed too often, particularly in Entities with many in formation, or, on the other hand, formators that are irremovable. In the first case, it is not easy to relate to or discern vocational development. In the second, there is danger of fatigue.

    1. Formation Friaries:

      1. Many friaries, even those formally designated for formation, do not think of themselves as "Houses of Formation" and consequently do not assume their responsibilities in this area. There are many places where the local formation Coetus just does not function.

      2. Problems arising from the "generation gap": language, mindset, a world of "affectivity", the capacity to integrate…

      3. The break, in life style, between the house of formation and the "normal" friary. This can be quite a danger particularly when the first assignments are made after Solemn Profession.

    1. Those in formation:

      1. Adult vocations, which require a longer time and an appropriate methodology.

      2. Candidates with psychological and emotional problems.

      3. Candidates with deficiencies both human and Christian.

      4. Difficulties with studies.

    3. Other shadows:

      1. The safeguarding of due continuity, graduality and cohesion in programmes, in methods and in discernment and personal relationships, between the different stages of the formative process.

      2. The following three periods need special attending to: the postulancy, the postnovitiate period, and the period when "vocational shock" is a possibility–on coming out of the climate and programmes of initial formation and entering the rhythm of actual life in the "normal" community.

      3. A preoccupation with saving "the package" (i.e., the structures) at the expense of its content (i.e., the life).

      4. A shadow is cast by the existence of "charismatic originality". The logic that so often governs our life cannot sustain for very long our vocational choices. Here possibly is one of the reasons for a poor vocational perseverance experienced by some Entities.

      5. A "paralysing realism" is another dark spot. In this context it must be said that the "temperature" of faith is not high enough for facing reality.

      6. Formation, both on-going and initial, is handicapped by a fairly prevalent decline in studies.

    III: FORMATION TODAY: THE CHALLENGES

    1. On-going Formation.

    1. To cultivate the perception of the whole of life itself as a formative process. To work in an enlightened manner in both initial and on-going formation. Energy and resources cannot be spent solely, or almost solely, on initial formation.

    2. Fix the eyes on present-day realities, without sentimental longing for past times; with a sound inner freedom, a creative openness, prompted by a great confidence in the Spirit and in the help others can offer.

    3. Keep in tune with the Order’s "priorities" for this six-year term, particularly the spirit of prayer and devotion, and also the sharing of life in fraternity.

    4. Try to reach a balance between doctrinal and experiential elements, between the demands of a healthy "inculturation" and that enlightenment whose worth derives, above all, from being schooled and trained in the same way it is lived.

    5. To be open to the world of young people and to suggest Franciscan life to them as an expression of Gospel living to which they may be possibly called. Such a suggestion, while always respecting freedom of choice, ought to be unambiguous and challenging.

    6. To examine, under light from inside, your own vocational choice. Don’t ask yourself only why you joined the Order, seek to know why you are still in it!

    7. Find concrete ways of (formatively) "accompanying" young professed friars in the first years after Solemn Profession.

    2. Initial Formation.

    1. Taking account, for formation, of the Order’s "priorities" for these six years.

    2. Form in the essentials: Encountering Christ, Fraternal life in community, Freedom and friendliness.

    3. Integrate, in ever better ways, the Franciscan charism into the different formation programmes of the Provinces, especially programmes during the time of temporary profession.

    4. To encourage "the experience of God". To promote the incarnating of a unifying spirituality into the whole of life.

    5. Train to the concept of unity in diversity.

    6. Try to achieve a balance between doctrinal and experiential views, at the same time respecting the demands of a healthy "inculturation".

    7. More interprovincial collaboration.

    3. The formators.

    1. Motivate formators to dedicate themselves to a formation "ministry" which has priority; and especially to spiritual and vocational "accompaniment" of those in formation. For this they will need to be released from other engagements.

    2. Invest time and means in the training of formators.


    Br José Rodríguez Carballo, ofm
    Secretary General
    for Formation and Studies.


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