The East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) has begun an English for Formation programme for clergy and religious. The programme was developed in response to the need for an intermediate-level English course containing components on spiritual formation and adult catechesis.
“In the past 10 years, we have found that the majority of our participants fail to grasp the basic theological ideas presented in lectures because of inadequate English skills,” said Fr Arthur Leger SJ, Director of EAPI. “In addition, pastoral centres in Manila have voiced the need for spiritual formation and catechesis tutoring in English for participants from China and Vietnam.”
The English for Formation Program will be offered in two parts, from June to December and January to April. A student can attend just one part or the entire 10 months depending on the plans of their superiors and the recommendation of the EAPI English staff.
The students will learn English within the context of formation with special references to theological and spiritual topics. The spiritual formation component includes aspects of psychology, pastoral theology and spirituality. The goal is to allow the participants to integrate and reflect on these three aspects of their lives in order to deal with past experiences, new relationships and build up their self-esteem and talents.
In the catechesis component, students will read parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Since the learning strategy is based on experience, the modules will begin with the topic of prayer. The hope is that students will begin praying with the daily scripture reading and practice a type of Lectio Divina in English.
The English for Formation programme is primarily for clergy and religious from our primary countries – China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor Leste, but the programme is open to other countries as well.
The pilot class has 30 students, all of whom are on scholarship. EAPI is seeking funding to enable all of them to live on campus, purchase equipment, furniture and textbooks.