Ongoing Formation of Religious - CMGlobal

VINCENTIANA 1/2-2008 - INGLESEApril 17, 2008 − 4ª BOZZA122 Cyril de Souzademand. One needs to find the opportunities for study and training,and also take the necessary initiative in professionalizing thoseservices, so that one can render a qualified function both in thecommunity as well as in the apostolate. This would obviously alsoinvolve striving to become better and more competent, to take thenecessary risks and not to be discouraged by eventual failure. It is insuch cases especially that community support is necessary to help themember go ahead with constancy and determination.The ongoing formation of religious with regard to professionalqualification would include a proper level and degree of study,suitable training opportunities and the appropriate means to achievethe competence that is needed for one’s professional career.Knowledge is an important component in professional qualification.Together with knowledge there is also the vast area of exercise andpractice, which are important to acquire expertise and competence.Developing competence in one’s professional life cannot be limitedonly to periods of study and training, but, as in every career andprofession, it should be extended to include the whole of one’s life. Itis, so to say, as though one’s life is like a school, in which there arecontinuous occasions and opportunities to acquire the necessaryknowledge, skills and abilities, and, by doing all that, to slowlybecome proficient in that field. 508. Pedagogical Dimension of Ongoing Religious FormationEvery living being has an inner drive towards growth, maturityand self-realization. To grow means to leave behind the security ofthe present and move into the unknown future. This requires faith,hope and courage to keep ever growing and maturing. Growth is notstatic and immutable; it is a continuous event, an ongoing process,which is not complete before death. 51 Formative pedagogy bridges theideal and the praxis with practical situations. Transformation meansgrowth, maturity and conversion and, in the case of religioustransformation, it is inspired by Saint Paul’s ideal “to be transformedinto Christ” (Rom 12:1). Furthermore, all religious are called “to beperfect as my heavenly Father” (Mt 5:48), and only a lifelongdedication to perfection will lead one to transformation.50Cf. C.O. HOULE, Continuing Learning in the Profession (Jossey-Bass:San Francisco 1996), p. 34.51Cf. M. IRAGUI, Maturity in Religious Life (Pontifical Institute of Theologyand Philosophy: Alwaye 1972), p. 43.