Zolile Mpambani (CU), Mark Przybys (SA) and Antonio Panteghini (CM)

At the beginning of 1996 the newly established South African Province of the SCJ opened the house of formation in Merrivale, RSA. Since then the house serves the young local SCJs who completed their noviciate and are studying at the nearby St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara.

I became the first person responsible for the formation in that place. At the same time I was taking care for the local community.

The young province took a risk and sent me there without any prior preparation. However from the beginning it was well known that the first possibility would be used to organize an appropriate training in order to help me in these new responsibilities. Thus in September 1999 I began participation in activities of the St Anselm Institute in Margate, England. There I completed a one-year Diploma Course in Human Growth and Development. Here I would like to say something about the Institute as well as to share a few thoughts as a "young" formator-beginner (I am 39)

THE INSTITUTE OF ST ANSELM was founded in 1984 under the patronage of cardinal Hume. The Institute is international and its aim is to train those involved in work of the religious formation and leadership, e.g. novice masters/mistresses, bishops, rectors, superiors, parish priests, vocation directors, chaplains, etc. etc. The purpose of this Institute is to give an understanding, in the spirit of Vatican II, of the whole process of growth in a person and to enable participants to acquire the skills of Integrative Spiritual Counseling, thus enabling them to foster growth and wholeness in others. The Institute offers presently several courses; all of them but one are residential.

A DIPLOMA COURSE (A one year course, September - June)

This is a course for those who are formators and leaders (the latter in a broader sense), with emphasis on community and taking responsibility for personal development, spiritually and psychologically. It focuses on the whole process of growth with special reference to spiritual and psychological integration. The aim of the course is to increase self-awareness and growth. Participants attend both lectures and practical workshops working with different groups at different times. There is one growth facilitation session per week (meaning 30 sessions altogether). Areas covered by the Course include the following:

• Understanding of the whole spectrum of growth and development.
• Counseling theory and practice.
• Community; community experience is an essential element of the Course found in the daily situation, praying, learning, relaxing and living together. Growth groups are formed and relationship between community and individual development is examined.
• Spirituality. Participants are helped to deepen their own spiritual life through communal prayer and spiritual counseling. They learn the art of fostering spiritual growth in others. The importance of reconciliation in daily life with God and ourselves is stressed.

WAS THE COURSE WORTH DOING?

1. First of all at St Anselm I became aware of the mechanisms and ways in which people act/react. I learned about human development, behavior, emotions, crisis etc.

 
2. It became a sort of a "second probation" or a noviciate: now I approach my religious life with more confidance and joy.

 
3. It gave me a unique opportunity to experience what counseling or even spiritual direction can do (if done in a holistic manner). I got hungry to grow and had a taste of internal liberation.

 
4. It gave me a "solid glimpse" of my future. I experienced that the progress is possible and I know a few tools to achieve it.

 
5. I know myself better thus I know others better too; I can help myself more thus I can help others more as well.

My course was probably not the only way of achieving similar results. But there, however, I became convinced that reading, studying, discussing etc. are helpful yet not enough. Formation is a process where one deals with invisible but mostly explicable forces and dynamics that take place in both: a formator and those in formation. These dynamics penetrate both parties involved (thus the formation process "forms" a formator too). Hence without relevant preparation (here I mean knowledge, awareness and personal experience of growth that is monitored and explained) such work becomes very confusing and frustrating. In other words: the person of a conscious formator is a key-human component of formation: the more he knows himself the more he is able to help others, the more he sees growth in himself the more he knows the ways/stages/goals of such a process in others. Those who through experience know what they are involved in should do formation.

These few words meant to be a testimony that such experience has been offered to me at St Anselm Institute. A miracle did not happen but in my life and work now have more meaning/sense and joy. At least for some time…

1. A Seven-week leadership course (July-August), called Summer Course.

 

 

This is a course for those who are formators and leaders (the latter in a broader sense), with emphasis on community and taking responsibility for personal development, spiritually and psychologically. It focuses on the whole process of growth with special reference to spiritual and psychological integration. The aim of the course is to increase self-awareness and growth. Participants attend both lectures and practical workshops working with different groups at different times. They also receive twice a week growth facilitation session with a member of the team. It is not a course for those with problems in need of counseling.

2. Training in Integrative Spiritual Counseling

 

 

The Course is particularly suited for prospective trainee counselors. The aim of the Course is to promote self understanding and growth in a holistic context, with special reference to spiritual and psychological integration. Participants acquire and practice the skills of Integrative Spiritual Counseling.

(N.B. in order to qualify for this Course one has to complete the Diploma Course first!).

3. Program of Intensive Personal Development

 

 

It offers clients help with a wide range of emotional and spiritual problems with the underlying goal of integrating their physical, emotional and spiritual lives with their ministry. It is for those needing time and guidance to work more intensely on their own personal development. This program includes group theory sessions, community meetings, journaling and individual therapy sessions. However it is not suitable for those suffering from addictions or mental illnesses. Length - one or two semesters.

4. A Sabbatical Program

 

 

It lays emphasis on both spiritual as well as psychological dimensions and covers a variety of subjects including emotional growth, relationships, crisis, and relatedness to self and spirituality. Length: participants can choose one or more of the four terms offered during the year depending on the time available to them and their requirements. The Program is not suitable for those in need of intensive therapy.

5. Supervision Course