From June 23 to July 6, 2019, seventy Franciscan friars from all over Africa gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the second part of the Inter-Franciscan School for Formators in Africa. The event took place at the St. Joseph Spiritual Center in Karen.
Those participating included fifteen Conventuals; twenty-nine Friars Minor; twenty-eight Capuchins and two members of the Third Order Regular (TOR).
The seminar was conducted jointly by the Secretariats for Formation of the OFM, OFM Conv., and OFM Cap. Each of the Secretaries General for Formation (SGF) was present along with their Vice Secretary. From the OFM there was SGF Secretary Friar Cesare VAIANI and his Vice Secretary Siniša BALAJIĆ. From the OFM Cap., there was SGF Secretary Friar Charles ALPHONSE, his Vice Secretary, Friar Jaime REY, and the Capuchin Assistant General, Friar Kilian NGITIR. Finally, from the OFM Conv., there was SGF Secretary Friar Louis PANTHIRUVELIL.
The theme of this second part of the course was entitled, “The Year of Further Study”. It thoroughly explored various dimensions of Franciscan Formation in order to better equip formators in their work of guiding those in formation. The program involved classroom presentations and group discussions on several topics that were presented. The friars participated in a formative experience with the poor people who live in Nairobi’s “Deep Sea Slum” district. This activity helped the friars to combine theory with the practical and concrete realities of our time and how to integrate it into the formation process.
The two weeks of classroom presentations and group discussion were a wonderful opportunity for learning and sharing experiences as well as having a concrete experience of the reality of interculturality in the Franciscan Family. Listening to different formation experiences and how the Franciscan spirit is lived in different parts of Africa helped the friars widen their perspectives and really appreciate the richness of our Franciscan family and spirituality. The event was very formative and joyful! We look forward to the third and final part of the course in 2020.
Friar Ryan Chilambwe MUTAYOMBA OFMConv
