Continuing formation

18. “Continuing formation, whether in institutes of apostolic or contemplative life, is an intrinsic requirement of religious consecration”.(⁷¹) It promotes theological and pastoral renewal, enhances the quality of life of each member and of the whole community through careful attention to the moments of particular commitment or when the interior life is challenged to grow.(⁷²) In relation to these dynamics of formation, “there is a youthfulness of spirit which lasts through time; it arises from the fact that at every stage of life a person seeks and finds a new task to fulfill, a particular way of being, of serving and loving.... If the subject of formation is the individual at every stage of life, the object of formation is the whole person, called to seek and love God ?with all one's heart, and with all one's soul, and with all one's might' (cf. Dt 6:5), and one's neighbour as oneself. Love of God and of the brethren is a powerful force which can ceaselessly inspire the process of growth and fidelity”.(⁷³) Each institute is called to provide continuing formation in an organized manner, consistent with its own character. In this way, it can become a model of consecrated life, fraternity, and apostolic commitment for new generations in formation and attract, by its vitality and fruitfulness, new vocations.(⁷⁴)

The Instruction Potissimum institutioni and the Exhortation Vita consecrata give ample space to continuing formation,(⁷⁵) describing its nature, identifying its objectives and contents, asking Superiors, according to the norm of the Code, to provide for their members the “assistance and the time”(⁷⁶) necessary and to designate a member as responsible for continuing formation.

Inter-institute collaboration can be helpful for organizing temporary and permanent services which should give new impulse to the spiritual life, to theological-pastoral updating, and to a renewed professional training for carrying out the responsibilities entrusted. It will give an important place to deepening the general lines and pastoral priorities of the Church for carrying out better her mission of evangelizing today's world. Hopefully, religious families will offer their best trained members for this purpose.

Conferences of Major Superiors and those responsible for centers of study should include among their objectives and programs adequate initiatives for the continuing formation of religious. In this way, more effective collaboration and complementarity among them will be achieved.