November 25 – 28, 2024, was the second in-person meeting of the Sexennium for the General Secretariat for Formation. For this meeting we met in Madrid, Spain. Each conference is represented on the secretariate. Secretariate members are: Paul Luu Quang Bao Vinh, C.Ss.R. (General Consultor), Gerardo Hernéndez Carrasquillo, C.Ss.R. (Executive Secretary for Formation), Sr. Theodora Shulak, M.Ss.R., Ms. Roksan Latorre, P. Paulo Júnior Silva Leào, Bro. Benjamin Posvo and P. Rémi Hébert.
The agenda was full, and we quickly got to work offering our expertise and insights into various topics related to Redemptorist formation. We were reminded of the many decisions of the XXVI General Chapter that would need input from this Secretariat, such as on-going formation and a renewal program for confreres early in their full-time pastoral ministry.
We had time to review and offer feedback on a proposal for a formation program for Redemptorist Formators. This led to a valuable discussion about the necessary qualities of a formator.
We spent some time sharing with each other the strategies from around the world of vocation promotion. This led to an important discussion about the Redemptorist Vocation Promotion Day on Sunday, November 10, 2024. We are anticipating an even larger promotion on the second Sunday of November next year.
We spent some time discussing the formation of Brother candidates and how critical and necessary this topic is for the Congregation. Lastly we had time to brainstorm about helpful on-going formation topics for formation directors that would help them in their ministry. As a Secretariat we suggested many topics, including Modern Sexuality Issues and Individualism and Community Life.
Outside of the meetings we spent time together praying and exploring Madrid. The success of our meeting was more than the work we did, it was also the community we became. We accomplished what we say is an integral part of formation, we became community.
Fr. Remi Hebert, C.Ss.R.
San Antonio, Texas
