On Wednesday, November 6 and Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania hosted two continuing formation sessions for its friars. The sessions took place at the Franciscan Theological Institute in Roman, Romania. Ninety friars participated.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU, moderated the meetings along with the Vicar Provincial, Friar Cristian DUMEA. Professor Alois GHERGUȚ of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași, Romania, lectured. The sessions reflected on the significance of continuing formation, highlighting its fraternal, social, and pastoral implications. Formation is regarded as a continuous journey, one that last until we finally encounter Sister Death. In the First Life by Thomas of Celano, St. Francis gives us a fundamental insight on this: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done little or nothing!” Celano adds, “He did not consider that he had already attained his goal, but tireless in pursuit of holy newness, he constantly hoped to begin again” (1Cel 103, FF 500).
The meetings began with a prayer and a reading of the introduction to the 2024-28 Provincial Four-Year Plan, to remind the friars of the importance of continuing formation, which is rooted in the long-standing dynamics of the Order and in St. Francis’s progressive journey of learning about Christ and following Him, and about understanding his own vocation and mission, as well as that of his friars.
This was followed by a lecture by Professor Alois GHERGUȚ entitled: “Continuing Formation: Challenges and Contextualization.” The lecture was presented from a sociological perspective. It addressed urgent societal phenomena that the Church confronts directly or indirectly, including family crises, globalization, emigration, atheism, secularization, libertinism, disparagement of the Church’s image, the consequences of the pandemic, the effects of the Digital Age, drug use, homosexuality and the new gender ideologies. These phenomena require the Church’s attention and involvement, and “success” in this regard depends on each friar’s ability to adapt to the realities and changes in today’s world and society. Such adaptation does not mean compromise, but rather a balanced and wise approach to fostering healthy and effective relationships with lay faithful, at both the community and individual level.
In addition to his lecture, Professor GHERGUȚ posed several questions to help the friars better understand themselves and those they serve, and help them grasp various life and societal issues that warrant serious consideration.
After the professor’s session, time was set aside for questions and group discussion. At noon, the friars celebrated Mass. Next, they enjoyed lunch provided by the friars of Roman. After the meal, the friars worked in small groups and later reconvened to share summarized ideas and impressions.
The two-day event concluded with prayer and an invitation for each friar to commit himself, in his community and in the local Church, to be attentive to God’s word, to prayer and meditation, to attending Mass, to personal study, and to the quality of fraternal and human relationships.
Provincial Continuing Formation Commission
