Preface

For the past five years the Secretariat for Formation has been working on a variety of documents relating mainly to specific areas of initial Redemptorist formation. A few of these have reached the hands of individual formators, while others have accessed them through the web site. However, in the recent years there has been a request from various parts of the Congregation for something more comprehensive. In fact it has been the desire of this Secretariat to compile a Handbook for Formators which might serve as a practical help in several areas of the formation process.

It might be asked why we are offering a Handbook when we already have the General Ratio Formationis of the Congregation, as well as local Ratios for most Units. The answer is two-fold. First, this is a response to requests for such a manual. Second, we are conscious that having a variety of papers and articles on all of the areas of initial formation can be somewhat confusing and hence, the decision to include them in a systematic way in this Handbook. Thus the Handbook is to be used in conjunction with the Ratios.

We are also very conscious that the task of a formator is a difficult and delicate one. Often formation personnel feel somewhat isolated. At times there can be criticism of the work from the larger community, and at the same time a sense of struggle among the formandi. The formators need as many tools and props as possible.

Of course we are not claiming that the Handbook will solve all problems. Indeed it is very clear in our minds that growth in the formation process of any human being comes from within. However, we are also conscious that creating a healthy and appropriate atmosphere for such human and spiritual growth are essential for a good formation program. This Handbook seeks to empower formators at all stages of initial formation to put this into practice.

We stress that we do not see the Handbook as a guide for formation. The path of formation in each Unit, and for each individual, is special and to be respected. However, we do offer the various articles as aids and resources for each stage of formation. What is offered is the result of many hours of research and work carried out by specialists, who have themselves been formators. We hope and pray that this may prove a useful help to our confreres who share in this privileged and difficult task of guiding our new members into vows and on to full-time ministry.

Yours sincerely,

The Formation Secretariat

Jacek Dembek (0000 General Council) – President

Sahaya Arockiasamy (3800 Bangalore)

Michael Brehl (4600 Edmonton-Toronto)

Raymond Douziech (0000 General Council)

Ronald McAinsh (1100 London)

José Rafael Prada (2800 Bogotá)

Jacek Zdrzałek (1700 Warszawa)

Luis Alberto Roballo (2800 Bogotá) – Executive Secretary