Questionnaire on the
State of Formation
in a Province, Vice-Province
or Region

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help the Province, Vice-Province or Region prepare a Report on the State of Formation in the Unit in preparation for a General Visitation. This Report on the State of Formation should be sent to the Visitors who will be conducting the Visitation at least one month before the Visitation begins

This Report may be prepared by the Secretariat of Formation or the Provincial Administration. It must be approved by the Provincial Superior and his Council before it is sent to the General Government. The Visitors will study this Report in preparation for their meeting with the Provincial Government, the Secretariat of Formation, and the Formation Personnel of the Unit.

1.     General Questions

1.1.      Does your Unit have a Formation Ratio? [Ratio Formationis, C.Ss.R.] Has it been submitted to and approved by the General Government?

1.2.      Is there an active Formation Secretariat in your Unit?

1.3.      What is its relationship with that of other Units with which you cooperate?

1.4.      How many candidates do you have in the different stages of formation?

1.5.      How many formators do you have for each stage?

1.6.      Does each stage of formation have a formation team?

2.     The Process of Formation

2.1.      What is the program for vocation promotion in your Unit?

2.2.      How is vocation accompaniment organized in your Unit?

2.3.      What are the stages and time frame for each stage of formation?

2.4.      What are the goals and objectives for each stage of formation?

2.5.      What are the criteria of acceptance/evaluation to progress to the next stage of formation?

2.6.      Are there clear and discernable connections and links between each stage of formation?

2.7.      What are the forms of collaboration between the various formators or teams at each stage?

2.8.      What is the program for transition to ministry, especially for the first five years of ordination?

2.9.      What is the program of formation for the Brothers in your Unit?

2.10.    Are you satisfied with the formation process in your Unit? Evaluate how you feel it prepares for the mission and apostolic priorities of your Unit.

2.11.    Is there a positive mentality about the importance of formation in your Unit? What are the specific forms of collaboration within the Unit in this area?

2.12.    How do you regularly evaluate the Formation program in your Unit?

2.13.    How is ongoing formation organized in your Unit?

3.     The Local Context

3.1.      How do you attempt inculturation of Redemptorist life in your Unit?

3.2.      How do you adjust the process of formation in order to meet the challenges of the changing world as these are experienced your Unit?

4.     The Formators

4.1.      How does the Unit prepare the formators for each stage of formation? And what are the plans for on going renewal of the formators?

4.2.      Do the formators take part in Redemptorist courses for formators? Are they also active in any local initiatives for formators? Please expand on this.

4.3.      How long do the formators work as formators

4.4.      How often are the formators changed in your Unit?

4.5.      What specific plans does the Unit have to prepare future formators for the Unit?

5.     Dimensions of Formation

5.1.      Human Dimension

- How is the human growth and maturity of our students fostered during the time of initial formation?

5.2.      Spiritual Dimension

- What kind of spiritual direction is available in formation, and especially first formation?

5.3.      Community Dimension

- How are the Formation Communities structured? Are there concrete programs to facilitate the development of the skills needed for community life?

5.4.      Academic/Professional Dimension

- Is special emphasis given to traditional Redemptorist subjects, in particular, Moral Theology, Preaching, History of the Congregation, and Redemptorist Spirituality? How is this done if our students study in an external theological faculty?

- Do our students learn another language?

5.5.      Pastoral Dimension

- Are our students taught the skills required for collaboration in ministry with lay people?

- Is there a pastoral year as recommended by the Ratio Formationis CSsR (#48)?

5.6.      Formation for Celibacy

- Is there a program to prepare candidates for a life of celibacy? What does it involve?

6.     The Evaluation Process of those in Initial Formation

6.1.      Are the criteria for the selection and evaluation of candidates clear and consistent with the dimensions of formation in the Ratio Formationis CSsR?

6.2.      What is your system of regular evaluation of the candidates?

6.3.      Is there any peer evaluation? How is it conducted?

6.4.      What is your system of evaluation of pastoral experiences of the students?

6.5.      How frequent are colloquia?

6.6.      How frequent are evaluations of the students by the Formation Team?

7.     Resources for Formation

7.1.      What are the financial resources available for formation in your unit? Are they sufficient? Where do financial resources for formation come from?

7.2.      Do you have enough resources for formation: personnel, buildings, libraries, etc? Is there a good Redemptorist section in your library?