From Monday 19 November through Friday 30 November 2018 the International Formation Center (CIF) gathered about 70 Vincentian confreres, representing 90 countries from around the world, at the M otherhouse in Paris to share and learn how they might better create and promote a culture of vocations in the Congregation of the Mission worldwide. All of the men who gathered were engaged at some level with vocation promotion.
Day 5: Friday 23 November
Fr. Robert Maloney, C.M., former superior general, presented on the topic of creating a culture of ongoing formation (morning session) and the creation of a culture of vocations (afternoon session) in the Congregation of the Mission. To start his presentation he used the story of a cleric from the Canterbury Tales, a cleric that would gladly learn and teach.
Creating a Culture for Ongoing Formation (morning session)
- Why is a culture of ongoing formation so important: St. Vincent was very concerned about the ongoing vitality of the confreres; he used conferences for their ongoing formation; Pierre Coste said that his conferences could have filled 10 full volumes of writings. He spoke on a very wide variety of topics, including the latest news from confreres working in various countries. An ongoing formation culture is intimately related to a vocation culture: we will attract vocations only if we are fully alive, if people see Christ fully alive in us. If we stop being formed we die. There are many statements in our official documents about ongoing formation such as a new Ratio Formationis.
- The Context: Many priests and religious lack a culture of formation today; it is probably a greater problem among men than women. It is probably a greater problem amongst the diocesan clergy. Many stop learning after their formal education is completed. In contrast, many professions foster and demand a culture of ongoing formation such as doctors, nurses, teachers, psychologists, etc.; they must continue with formation in order to be credited. So, could some form of updating be required amongst the members of the Congregation? A word about culture: the use of the word originates in Cicero: cultivating the soul; it refers to tilling the soil, as a metaphor, so that plants grow and so we till the soil of our lives so that we continue to grow as persons; the seeds within us need to be cultivated. Nature (what we are born with) vs Culture (what we develop). What does a culture of formation involve? An abiding attitude of discipleship: we are missionary disciples; that is, one who learns and is listening. Without listening, nothing enters our hearts. It has varied dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual, communal, and apostolic; they are like 5 spokes of a wheel. It is holistic. It has different ages: youth, middle, latter ages; the needs are different at each stage; if we have no ongoing formation, we will be lost. The key is individual responsibility for each person’s ongoing formation. The primary human agent is the confrere himself!! A culture of ongoing formation demands discipline for work, rest, study, relaxation, community living. Sacrifices will be required. Community support is also required such as a spiritual director, confessor, superiors, mentors, and a supportive community.
- Some means of nourishing a culture of formation: cultivating a basic attitude of discipleship. This is Pope Francis’ basic attitude: we are missionary disciples. He said that he is a mission on this earth. Ascidia (the blah feeling or growing inertia, discouragement, depression that set into our lives) lulls us into a deep sleep and we no longer listen. So Pope Francis talks about the universal call to create a civilization of love. What is our basic stance in life? Each day dedicating abundant time to meditative prayer. As Vincentians each day we are to take time to meditate, to listen to what the Lord is saying to us; Vincent placed great emphasis on this. If we persevere in our vocation/work/not fall into sin/remain in charity it is due to meditation. Like Plato, the un-reflected life is not worth living. So when young people join us, do they say, “Wow!” how wonderful the Vincentians pray. Developing the habit of reading. It exposes us to new ways, other ideas, it broadens our perspective; it is crucial to growth. So read the scriptures and good scripture commentaries, the writings of Vincent, Common Rules/Constitutions, some good periodical on theology, web sites (famvin, cmglobal, news, etc.). Set aside time for retreats; Vincent insisted setting aside time for an annual retreat. Participate in workshops, but not just courses; use them to improve our skills (communication, teaching, etc.) and reflecting upon them. Stay in contact with contemporary culture such as news, art, film, music, sports, etc. If not we are either too serious or boring; it is stifling if we have nothing to say about these things. Find a good mentor; a good mentor is a gift from God. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise, eating and drinking healthily; take care not just of our mind and heart but also our body.
- A Life Plan: each and every confrere should yearly develop a template of ongoing formation that indicates our goals for ongoing formation, spiritual growth, human growth, community life, and Vincentian apostolic development.
Fr. Maloney distributed a page to each confrere describing six parts for creating a personal plan: What are your goals this coming year for human development, for spiritual growth, intellectual growth, community living, developing apostolic skills, and understanding and living our Vincentian charism. He asked each confrere to fill out a personal plan, indicating how he was going to grow in these six areas; he gave the group 30 minutes to do so; the vocation directors then shared, if they wanted, with the rest of the group.
Creating a Vocation Culture in a Congregation with 4-Century History (afternoon session)
Fr. Maloney covered 3 topics: Some background reflections, What did St. Vincent say about vocation promotion and What steps should we take today to create a vocation culture in the Congregation of the Mission
- Some Background Reflections: Many new communities have a lot of energy and they grow rapidly; they still enjoy their primitive spirit. But it also has disadvantages: they suffer crisis of several kinds. Some have institutional crisis and have deep wounds especially after the founder dies and they are forced to institutionalize the community. So with 400 years history there are advantages. We have a wonderful founder and his charism is meaningful today and his writings are available in many languages worldwide. Pope Francis mentions him many times in his writings. We have many heroes in our 400 year history (Louise, Rogue (4’10” tall), Laboure, Vincent de Paul, Clet, Perboyre, Ozanam, etc.), we have become a very large family with over 2,000,000 members and their works are extraordinary. Over the years the Congregation has become more and more international (expanding to Albania, Belarus, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Chad, Ghana, Sudan, Mongolia, Alaska, etc.); we are now in 90 countries and there are other branches in other parts of the country. So 400 years of history has a lot of advantages.
- What did Vincent say? He spoke of vocation promotion 625 times. He warned us never to urge people to embrace membership in the Congregation. It is for God alone to choose those he wishes to call to the Congregation. We should ask God to send us men to work with us. But never push anyone to join. He gradually came to the conviction that we should pray for vocations to the Congregation. He did not pray for vocations for 20 years but later came to the realization that he should pray for vocations. He felt that witness was central to attracting others to the Congregation: love one another as friends and we will multiply if others witness this. He urged fidelity to our foundational works (preaching missions, training laity in service to the poor, etc.): witness was central. Vincent was convinced that vocation was a call from God and that discernment was essential in responding to that call. God uses different means to call different people to his service. Fr. Tomaž, our present superior general has written: Vocation is found where people’s deepest joys and needs come together, where love and need come together. So, is this person joyful and really want to serve the poor? These are great signs of someone fit for membership in the Congregation. Vincent emphasized daily meditation to help listen to God’s voice as well as humility, and obedience (doing what God asks of us).
- Steps in order to create a vocation culture: Ten steps (5 look inward and 5 look outward). Inward: a. Having exciting works. As an apostolic society our works are important. Others are drawn to us if they see our works touch deeply those whom we serve. For instance, many new and old missions, such as the new famvin alliance, the schools and universities that serve first-generation migrants. Some of our seminaries are working amongst the poorest of the poor. b. Living together as “friends who love one another deeply.” Our global secular society leads to individualism but young people want to belong. They are drawn to those who have a common vision and are happy in what they do. c. Praying faithfully and beautifully. If prayer is beautiful it will draw people. d. Living simply and joyfully. Many succumb to materialism but many also are drawn to live simply: living simply and joyfully attracts people (look at Francis of Assisi or Mother Theresa). e. Being a community that is continually being formed. If we are continuing growing, people will be attracted to us. Ongoing formation and vocational ministry should have the same content and form; all are engaged in formation and all are agents of vocational encouragement. Outward: a. Telling the story of our founder and heroes. Stories of enculturation (such as Justin de Jacobis who dressed like the people he served and learned their language. b. Invite others to be with us, pray with us, and serve with us in a welcoming community; many young people want to be invited. c. Preach and teach a vocation culture and be mentors for others. A vocation culture is important in the church itself. Can we create this for young people. What is God calling me to do? If we don’t listen we will drift thru life and get temporary satisfaction. d. Involving the whole Vincentian Family in a vocation culture. Universal call to holiness and all branches share in this. Do we encourage vocations in each other’s branch? e. Using contemporary means of communication to keep contact with others, especially the young. Use social media and all the tools and apps to enter into contact with the young. Communicate clear, attractive messages to the young. Conclusion: a vocation culture will flourish when the witness of our love for the poor shines out brightly. When living witnesses of Christ’s love for the poor abound amongst us we will grow our vocations.
Rev. Jim Osendorf, C.M.
Vincentian Vocation Director
Western Province USA
