Solid formation of Jesuits is critical for the Society of Jesus to effectively carry out of its mission. It was with this uppermost in mind that 20 Jesuits came together in the annual JCAP Formators’ Circle meeting held in Singapore from June 27 to 30. The Jesuits were mainly Formation Delegates of the provinces, regions and missions within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific as well as rectors of colleges and other key personnel in the area of formation. Also present were JCAP President Fr Mark Raper SJ; Fr Jojo Magadia SJ, Father General’s Assistant for Formation; and Fr Robin Koning SJ, JCAP Delegate for Studies.
A large part of the meeting was devoted to reflecting on and discussing the recent document from Rome entitled, “The Intellectual Formation of Jesuit Brothers and Scholastics: Initial Formation”. The document explains that the intellectual formation of Jesuits should enable them to analyse the changing contexts of mission, understand the content of the Catholic faith, acquire ministerial competencies to communicate the Gospel and to make real the Kingdom of God, and finally appropriate Jesuit charism for life and mission.
Cognizant of the fact that discussion is often an escape from decision and action, the group was concerned with the practicalities of implementing the document. As Fr General Adolfo Nicolás SJ has expressed his desire for major superiors to “within the next three years, set in place the necessary modifications to implement the vision presented in this document”, the formators developed a timeline for implementation. Following from this year’s discussion on the document, each province will present its initial implementation plans in 2015, present fine-tuned plans in 2016 that incorporate input and learnings received at the previous meeting, and finalise plans and implement the vision of the document in 2017.
Leadership was another focus of the meeting. Some of the formators at the meeting went so far as to say that we are facing a leadership crisis today. Remembering that the 35th General Congregation states that “leadership in the Society today is a very demanding ministry”, a workshop was held on leadership. Christina Kheng, a consultant on effective management for religious congregations, focused on the development of leadership amongst Jesuits in formation. “What do we mean by leadership?” was a salient question she posed before she presented leadership as “taking charge of something – a province, ministry, organisation, community or project”. Taking charge means that one has to ensure that there are a clear mission, shared vision, goals and action plans in place; organise, develop and care for the community; ensure that there are proper systems, structures and resources; monitor, evaluate and steer the actions; nurture external relationships for the mission; and discern and develop new frontiers.
The meeting ended with short presentations on the candidacy program, giving the participants a better idea of what is being done in the area of candidacy in three units of the Conference – China, Thailand and Timor-Leste.