After a month and a half of sessions directed toward those who are involved in formation ministry, the Encounter of Formators has concluded. 16 participants of the CLAPVI 2018 school for formators came from various countries: Ecuador, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras and Peru. Among them was a lay member of the Vincentian Family from Panama.
This formation session was held in the seminary at Curitiba (Brazil). The majority of the presenters were professors at the Vincentian University.
The following themes were developed and discussed:
- The relationship between the formator and the one being formed. Models of intervention
- Affectivity and formation
- Mediation and conflict resolution in a formation environment
- Spirituality: an historical overview
- Christian spirituality as life in the Spirit
- Saint Louise and formation
- New trends in contemporary spirituality
- Formation in the contemporary context: an anthropological perspective
- Formation in the contemporary context: an ethical perspective
- Faith and reason in light of Fides et Ratio
- Liturgy and spirituality
- Ecumenism and the church
- Pastoral ministry from the perspective of the different models of the church
- Vincent de Paul and the Bible
- Formation for community life
- Following of Christ in accord with the synoptic gospels
- Evangelization according to Evangelii Gaudium
- Vincent de Paul: formator of the clergy
- The Ratio Formationis of the Congregation of the Mission
- Service on behalf of the poor according to Vincent de Paul
In addition to a dialogue and discussion of the above themes the participants toured the area: the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida (patroness of Brazil), the falls of Iguazu and the surrounding area, etc.
The participants were also present for the diaconal ordination of Gilberto Rodríguez. During the last two days of the encounter the participants made a retreat; the theme of that retreat was: the pedagogy of Jesus.
The encounter concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist and the presentation of certificates to all those who participated in the encounter.
By: Roberto Adrian Fernandez, CM
Province of Saint Vincent Spain
Missionary in Honduras
Translated:
Charles T. Plock, CM – Eastern Province, USA
