Cistercian Formation

REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMISSION ON FORMATION

Sr. Pamela gave a clear, interesting and challenging presentation of her work in synthesizing all that has been said about formation in the last two MGM’s and the meeting of the Regional Secretaries of Formation in June, 2008. She presented some recommendations and asked for the support of the MGM in her endeavors. The Regional Secretaries confirmed the Ratio as our basic document on formation with just some minor changes and adaptations, especially of paragraph 42. We have drawn up some votes concerning these matters.

The discussion that followed showed that formation, in the sense of transmission of life in our monastic tradition, is the most important area facing us. It seems to be the dynamic focus not only of initial and ongoing formation but also for community decisions for the future, relations between Father Immediates and daughter houses, and all the other pastoral organs of the Order. Therefore, although we have treated questions of formation at every MGM, we would like to support the suggestion that formation, also in its relation to work, be the major topic of the MGM of 2011. It will need to be prepared for by work in the communities and in the Regions.  (Cf. Acts of the 7^th MGM: IV Formation 2 and 3)

The spiritual, intellectual and affective aspects of formation should be given attention, distinguishing but not separating them. How should we readjust our formation practices in these various dimensions, in continuity with our Cistercian Tradition, as we seek to understand more and more the world from which our candidates come? What is their way of viewing and approaching reality? What are the currents of thought in the general atmosphere, the values and non-values that influence them consciously or unconsciously in this world of high-tech and constant communication, that make long-term commitment more difficult?  How do we welcome their attraction to the spiritual life, which may have  hues of New Age or on the other hand, attraction to Marian and Eucharistic prayer, as we introduce them more deeply to the Word of God? How does this renew our own monastic tradition? How do we communicate to them our sense of mission for the life of the Church and the life of the world?

The formation process must be oriented towards helping people to meet Jesus personally, to find and face the important questions of life, to go deeper than the surface. If this essential process, although difficult and painful, is not happening during formation, nothing important is happening and people will not be challenged and involved. Our role is to help them to persevere. Even if they eventually leave after a serious discernment of their vocation, they will have learned much about themselves and about the Christian way of life.

VOTES

1.  We would like the next MGM to be focused on formation in the sense of the transmission of life in our monastic tradition and to be prepared by work in the communities and the Regions.

2. We ask the Regions to study the draft of a new text for paragraph 42 of the Ratio and other proposals of small changes to the Ratio proposed by the Regional Secretaries of Formation in view of voting on this at the next MGM.

3.  We would like a course for new superiors to be organized by the Abbot General and his

     council.

Further Recommendations

We encourage the Central Secretary of Formation

-            to continue to develop the website for formation in our Order as an instrument of

communication for formators.

-            to continue her efforts to prepare a ‘workbook’ accompanying the Ratio

containing texts that are particularly helpful for superiors and formators (B. Olivera, M. Casey, C. Piccardo and possibly others)

-            to coordinate the translation of texts on formation

-            to compile a bibliography of basic books for formators

We encourage each region to draw up a text expressing their specific needs and priorities in the area of formation. (Cf. Letter of the Regional Secretaries, paragraph 2.)

We encourage superiors to send formators or potential formators to the Monastic Formation Program in Rome and other programs of formation with the Benedictine and Cistercian family.

We encourage joint sessions on formation with other members of the Cistercian family.

We support a future meeting of the Regional Secretaries of Formation as a valuable moment of exchange and sharing. (Cf. Ratio 71)

We suggest the creation of a blog site to enhance communication in the Order.

Topics of reflection that have emerged for the communities and Regions:

The worldview of young people (up to 40)

Their difficulty in entering into a monastic spirituality of work

The necessity of seeking to understand the language of the young

Problems of emotional maturity which make the formation process quite long

Formation as an initiation into a mystical, sapiential tradition

The need for giving a strong spiritual foundation at the beginning

Initial and ongoing catechetical formation

Formation, study and manual work

Holistic formation of the whole person

The importance of proactive reflections on formation

The fruitfulness of a group sharing on formation even though no document is

            formulated

Particular considerations for the formation of older vocations

The suggestion to hold a Regional Meeting with the Novice Directors present

Encouragement of further in-depth study for certain members

Formation of superiors as formators

The community as formator

Spiritual paternity/maternity

Spiritual accompaniment

Transmission of life in aging communities

The obstacle of self-defense (‘guardedness’)

Signs of a Cistercian vocation

Use of modern means of communication