Ongoing Formation of Religious - CMGlobal

VINCENTIANA 1/2-2008 - INGLESEApril 17, 2008 − 4ª BOZZAOngoing Formation of Religious111and reaffirm an earlier mentioned conviction that one of thecharacteristics of ongoing formation is that it is integral, only for thepurpose of a deeper insight into the different aspects influenced bythis formation process, we will consider the different dimensions ofthe process of ongoing religious formation separately.We will examine the following five dimensions of ongoingreligious formation: human, spiritual, doctrinal, cultural andcharismatic.6.1. Human DimensionVita Consecrata asserts that formation should involve the wholeperson, in every aspect of one’s personality, at the level of behaviorand at the level of intention (VC 65). Since the human person is aconscious and free being, who is called to grow in self-fulfillment,this should lead to self-mastery in freedom, and it entails thepersonal responsibility to live it interpersonally, striving towards thefulfillment of self and of others.Life is a constant journey towards maturity, which cannot beattained except by constant reminders of this fact through formation.The human dimension of the consecrated life calls for self-knowledgeand the realistic awareness of one’s limitations. Relationships withothers hold a particular place in one’s living in community andworking in the apostolate. Hence, special importance must be givento the inner freedom of consecrated persons through their affectivematurity, their ability to communicate with others with serenity,especially in their own community, and in compassion for those whoare suffering, both in the community and those with whom theyinteract in their field of apostolate.Both for community living as well as for the work in theapostolate the consecrated person requires a certain level ofintelligence, which comprises the ability to grasp the essence of whatis happening in relationship and in work. Forming of intelligencecomprises four principle functions: to analyze, to synthesize, to relateand to judge. 33 This intelligence, it is true, could sometimes be calledcommon sense, and thus, intelligence could be understood as theconscious exercise of this common sense.Together with the formation of intelligence, the way to humanmaturity would also require the formation of one’s will. A person’swill is where one sets a course that will guide and control one’s entire33Cf. M. MARCIEL, Integral Formation of Catholic Priests (Alba House: NewYork 1992), p. 26.