A team of Brother Formators met again in Abidjan this summer for a time of Formation. As a continuation of last year’s face-to-face Meeting, under the Leadership of the “Council of Wise Men” – the General Council, headed by Br. Hervé ZAMOR, Superior General, and Br. Stéphane Le Pape -, 16 Brother Formators or in the process of becoming one, coming from various backgrounds gathered at the Jean de la Mennais Community in Abidjan from August 21st to 31st .2023.
Br. Hervé ZAMOR, Introducing the Session, recalled the importance of Formation of Formators. He specified that the present Meeting “aims above all, what is specific to the Congregation of the FIC: Prayer, the Rule of Life and Spiritual Accompaniment”. These were the three themes that would feed our valiant Participants over ten days. Brother Hervé urged the gathered Trainers to be Trainers of each other, calling this Session a “Formation Laboratory”.
The Teaching was Participatory and Collegial. In fact, the Facilitators presented the Theme of the day, sent the Participants to a Workshop, and they brought back and shared the fruits of their thoughts. The Synthesis of the sharings will be gathered to produce a Final Document for Formation Purposes.
In this same Dynamic, the Liturgy was enriched by the diversity of the Participants and the Prayer was experienced personally and in Groups.
Sports Activities were also included. The Session ended with an Evaluation made by the Participants. At the end, the Superior General invited each Participant to carry the message of this Formation Cycle in their Mission Team and among the young people for whom they will be responsible. He also took this opportunity to thank all those who, directly or indirectly – including Brother Jean-Paul Peuzé – contributed to the success of this important Meeting for our Institute. Because the vitality of the Institute depends on the quality of the Formation of its Members.
It must be remembered that this Formation Cycle, which began two years ago and which thus ends, is unprecedented in the Congregation.
The Trainers’ Communication Team
