In accordance with decision 35 of the XXVth General Chapter, which states that “the General Secretariat for Formation will continue to offer regular courses for the preparation and ongoing training of Directors of Formation,” the General Secretariat of Formation, in collaboration with the Coordinator of the Conference of Africa and Madagascar (COREAM), Fr. Noël Sottima, C.Ss.R., held a course for COREAM formators from June 10th to June 23rd, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. This course was attended by formators from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Afrique de l’Ouest, and Nigeria. Participants comprised formators at different levels of formation.
Each day began with Morning Prayer and Holy Mass led by a designated celebrant. There was also Evening Prayer every evening. The opening Mass was led by Fr. Paul Vinh, C.Ss.R., General Consultor, on June 11, 2024. In his homily, he reflected on the importance of faith and goodness in the life of formators. Later that same day, he gave a presentation on Redemptorist formation in light of the XXVI General Chapter and the Constitutions and Statutes, followed by a presentation on the COREAM Ratio Formationis by Fr. Noël Sottima, C.Ss.R.
COREAM Formators’ Course – Group Photo with some Students of Karen 
Conference hall 
Conference hall
The next day, Fr. Gerardo Hernandez, C.Ss.R., General Secretary for Formation, led the group in reflecting on the Ratio Formationis Generalis. The week ended with a three-day presentation by Sr. Theodora Shulak, M.Ss.R., Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer and member of the General Secretariat for Formation, and Fr. Rupak Lokhande, P.I.M.E., on Psychology and Formation.
During the second week, Fr. Titus Mutiku, C.Ss.R., Mission Superior of the Kenyan Mission, gave a presentation on Formation in Context Today. Dr Aloys Otieno Ojore, a lecturer from Tangaza University, gave a presentation on Anthropology at the Service of the Mission, and Fr. Amar Bagh, C.Ss.R., from the Bangalore Province, reflected on the Challenges of Consecrated Life Today.
Participants engaged not only in spiritual and intellectual activities but also had the opportunity for a common outing to Stedmak Gardens in Nairobi and a visit to the Student Community in Karen, where they celebrated Sunday Eucharist and had lunch with the students. They also ended each day with recreation in the common room, providing opportune moments for relaxation, communication, singing, dancing, and laughter.
Fr. Henry Nwokoro, C.Ss.R.,
Vice-Province of Nigeria
