The meeting of the Formators of Religious in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda took place from Sunday 4th to 8th May 2025 at Babete Monastery.
The meeting of the Formators of Religious in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda took place from Sunday 4th to 8th May 2025 at Babete Monastery.Amongst those present representing the Capuchin Formation Team were friars Christopher Shiyhan – Novice Master, Calvin Nsahlai- vice Student Master, Rene Mbaku- Vice Postulant Master. The theme for this ongoing formation was : TOOLS FOR ACCOMPANIMENT AND OVERCOMING INNER FEARS OF FORMATORS animated by Rev. Dr. Alban Pascal Noudjom Tchana, Sj. PhD.
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The Formators of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province arrived at the Centre at Monastery in Babete (West Region) by 3:30pm. Monday was devoted to a day of reflection on the theme: “Forming with courage. The other days followed suit. They were reminded not to form with their own Authority but with that of Christ this was underlined by the Prayer” Forming not with my own authority”. The facilitator emphasized in the course of the session some salient points such as : Formation in a wounded world thus it can no longer be just a structural program of theological instructions or community discipline but be be a spiritual journey accompaniment, mutual vulnerability and deep listening. We can no longer according to Henri Nouwen pretend to form othets from a position of superiority, detachment and false strength. Today a formator is no longer primarily a teacher but a companion in the mystery of human growth. Given that we live in a world fractured by crises where young people today wrestle with a crisis of identity, belonging, self worth and meaning. In this context they do not seek perfection rather Authenticity. He summarised the Approach of Religious formators as VUCA ( Value- Spiritual Dimension, Vision- Prophetic insightseeing with the eyes of faith, understanding- discernment , clarity- simplicity, choosing what truly matters before God, and Agility – Obedience the capacity to move where God leads). Today, formation takes place in a world which is volatile, uncertain complex, ambiguous, a context of Digital distractions and Relativism, where commitments are unstable and malleable, a world of growing tension between individualism and community living,a reality of broken firmees and wounded formators, understanding the inner fears of firmators is not disqualification but the staring point of an authentic formation
Courage as a virtue in formation was highlighted for between fear and courage lies hope filled endurance. The virtue of not fleeing when all seems lost and of trusting the unforseen courage is born. In the school of the cross and the silence of the heart the formator becomes not a hero/ heroine but a witness.
They were therefore drilled on the fools for accompaniment: forming in Dryness and forming through fears. These are to be understood not merely as technics but spiritual attitudes and disciplines that allow discernment and accompaniment to take place even when the Wells run empty and fears threaten the journey. These include Deep listening (Lectio cordis- Reading the heart), Spiritual conversation and Discernment- Ignatian approach, personal vulnerability and storytelling, Psychological safety and emotional intelligence, use of silence and Comtemplative Dialogue, Digital tools for connection and mentoring. Thus it was a call for a ministry of Presence in the Desert , a Presence that listens in silence , a presence that trusts even in fear and a presence that waits when the well is dry. Furthermore, they were drilled on How to overcome inner fears, a journey from vulnerability to inner Freedom, a real path for Formators- embracing your fears ( Theology of imperfection, anchoring your identity in Christ not in results, practice of daily examen for self awareness and healing, building support network among formators, developing a spirituality of Accompaniment – walking with others not above. In fine, overcoming inner fears is the courage to be born in the Dark, where God’s grace works slowly but powerfully. They were called to be Prophetic witnesses. this can only be achieved through the way of Christ( a formation of kenosis), being a living icon of what you preach, living Authenticity over perfection, in shirt being Prophets of Presence.
This Session was one of its kind well appreciated by the Formators of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda ( Kumbo, Bamenda, Buea, Kumba and Mamfe) the session ended with an excursion and relaxation.
Br. CHRISTOPHER SHIYHAN, Ofm.Cap
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