Presenting the idea (at the formators meeting held in 1999) of having a page on Formation on our Web Site I used the following words:

"I believe that the seed of the internationality of the Congregation that has been and is being sawn can find a more fertile soil in the hearts of our candidates, novices and scholastics, provided that it is well sawn and nurtured. The results might be a sweet fruit that might last as long as the congregation lasts.

Among other means, and perhaps the most efficient, that we can use, both for the above end, and for personal information, is our existing web site. Parting from its availability, simplicity, affordability etc., I believe that we can make a very good use of it in many ways as far as information about formation is concerned. Postulants/Pre-Novices, Novices, Scholastics, formators and the confreres at large as well as any religious who visit our web site, can pass information, sharing about everything and anything that is of interests as far as formation is concerned.

By the same means we can establish relationships among ourselves as formators Postulants/Pre-Novices, Novices and scholastics. Here we can also promote the sharing of our Dehonian spiritual values, our Sint Unum, the internationality of our Congregation, our experiences, concerns, joys and other matters of interest to us all."

For example, you could:

1. Share information on what is happening in your province in all stages of formation. i.e. (Postulancy, Noviciate, Philosophical and Theological Institute & ongoing formation).
2. Present whatever publications you produce as far as formation is concerned.
3. Ask any questions you might have about formation.
4. Answer to questions posed by some members.
5. Anything that struck you about the life, history, spirituality and social works of our founder.
6. Share on how has our charism and spirituality come alive in your province, region or community.
7. Write about anything that struck you about formation from any book you read or from you own experience.
8. Suggest any book that you found helpful about formation.
9. Share about your present formation journey through Postulancy, Noviciate, Philosophical & Theological studies and in the apostolic work. Tell us what you find and found most helpful and enriching so that others can share in that richness, as well as what you do and did not find most helpful so that others can throw suggestions on how to improve what was not so helpful.
10. Did you know? &&&&&&.. Information.
11. Etc. etc.

All correspondence should be sent to: Zolile Mpambani at: Zolile@scj.org

If you can already translate your articlesto different languages, please do so. That will make the job easier for the alreadyoverloaded translators.

Those who do not have access to the Internet yet,you may send your contributions by fax.
 

To begin with I propose the following structure.

A. INITIAL FORMATION

(Here you can share any important points you have on formation. It could be some articles or quotations from the book you read on formation. Or any original idea you might have on formation).

I would like to immediately begin by quoting from the opening speech of Fr. Generalto all SCJ formators gathered in Rome from 10-21 May 1999.
 

2. FR. DEHON, HIS WRITINGS AND/OR OUR SPIRITUALITY.

(Here you can write anything that might give us more information about our founder and his writings. Remember that the targets are those in initial formation; therefore, do not take it for granted that the information is known).

From the Spiritual Directory of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, under the heading:

"The Gift of Self" we read:

"Our whole vocation, our purpose, our duties, our promises are found I these words: Ecce Venio, Deus, ut faciam voluntatem tuam, "Behold I come, O God, to do Your Will;" Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbaum tuum, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to Your word."

In all circumstances, in all happenings for the future and for the present, the Ecce venio suffices, provided it is in the mind and heart at the same time that it is on the lips. Ecce venio, "Behold I come, O my God, to do Your Will." Behold me ready to do, to undertake, to suffer what You wish, to sacrifice whatever You ask of me. We can be without anxiety; the will of God will make itself known at every moment. But, should darkness and uncertainty fill our mind and heart, let us persevere with patience and love, until it pleases the wisdom and goodness of God to enlighten us again with His light.

A victim knows that there is not longer anything for him to choose or desire, his choice has been made, his lot is fixed. When and how his sacrifice will occur, in what circumstances, how long it will last all this is left to the free choice of Him whom he belongs entirely.

Therefore, total abandonment, absolute indifference, looking upon Him who preceded us on the way and made it practicable, and who has left behind the traces of His steps -- bloody traces: this is our vocation.

If anyone gives himself to Our Lord in this manner, He will give Himself in return. Can anything, then, be lacking? "The very hairs of your head are all numbered," said Our Lord to His disciples. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father." Our Lord watches over all our needs in due time if we give ourselves to Him."

3. DID YOU KNOW?

(In just one line give us some information, either about our Founder or our Congregation. E.g.)

Did you know that the first mission of our Congregation in Africa is in (Zaire) Democratic Republic of Congo?) 

4. ONCE UPON A TIME.

(Here you could write any short story that helps us reflect on our formation like the following):

An old teacher was once taking a walk through a forest with a pupil by his side. The old man suddenly stopped and pointed to four plants close by his side. The fist was just beginning to peep above the ground, the second had rooted itself pretty well into the earth, and the third was a small shrub while the fourth was a full-sized tree.

The tutor said to his young companion: "Pull up the fist." The boy easily pulled it up with his fingers. "Now pull up the second." The youth obeyed, but found the task not so easy. "Now the third." The boy had to put forth all his strength, and was obliged to use both arms to uproot it. "And now." said the master, "try your hand at the fourth." But, lo, the trunk of the tall tree, grasped in the arms of the youth, hardly shook its leaves.

"This, my son, is just what happens with our bad habits. When they are young, we can cast them out more readily with the help of God; but when they are old, it is hard to uproot them, though we pray and struggle ever so sincerely."

5. INFORMATION & EVENTS

(a. Tell us what will take place, where and when).

(b. Tell us what has taken place, where and how).

For example: Admission of Postulants and Novices. Profession of Novices. Tell us about preparation for and making of perpetual profession. Tell us about any other special events taking place concerning formation.

B. ONGOINGFORMATION

• Plan and establish a sabbatical year for all religious after a number of years of religious profession as some provinces already do." (We the Congregation in Service to the Mission 21.3)
• Every province, region, and district is always encouraged to draw a Plan in which the above is clearly indicated for each religious. By so doing we can be able to plan the shifting and shuffling of personnel in advance.
• Organise at Rome each year and in a different language, a semester of ongoing formation." (We the Congregation in Service to the Mission 21.3)
• This has already been arranged, as you know. All that rests is for each province, region and district to encourage the confreres for the remaining sessions.
• Set up two international courses of ongoing formation in different languages and countries." (We the Congregation in Service to the Mission 21.3)

• At the individual level: a good rhythm of prayer, study, asceticism and evaluation of the apostolate; 
• At the level of the local community: community meetings, sharing, participation in community initiatives, a good up-to-date library; 
• At the level of the provincial or regional community: annual assemblies, meetings of age groups and other categories, meetings of provincial organizations and commissions 
• At the international level: inter-provincial or general sessions, general commissions, the General Center of Studies, the International College. 

HUMOUR

One day when little Johnny came home from Sunday school, his mother asked him what he had learned that day.

"Well," said Johnny, "Our teacher told us about how God sent Moses behind the enemy lines to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians. He brought them to the Red Sea. And then Moses ordered the engineers to build a pontoon bridge. After they all crossed over, they looked back and saw the Egyptian tanks coming. Quick as a flash, Moses grabbed his walkie-talkie and asked the Air Force to send bombers to blow up the bridge and save the Israelites."

"Johnny!" exclaimed his mother. "Is that the way the teacher told the story?"

"Well, not exactly," Johnny admitted. "But if I told it her way, you d never believe it!"

QUIPS AND QUOTES.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.