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To aid in the preparation of various Regional Meetings I am publishing some documents here. Letter to the superiors and formators Rome, Tre Fontane 10-18 june 2008-07-06 Following the first meeting in twenty years of regional secretaries of formation, we want to express our gratitude for this initiative which we hope can be can be repeated in the near future. We wish to present the results of these days of intense work on the Ratio Institutionis for the reflection of our superiors and formators. As a results of some votes we took, three points became very clear : 1.A large majority wants to keep the Ratio as it is in its fundamental structure, though adding some minor changes that do not affect the basic structure, since the Ratio reflects well the theology of the schola caritatis and the specificity of Cistercian monastic formation. Nevertheless, we are aware that the Ratio can be improved by adapting some points. We all noted that paragraph 42 (on the monasticate) should be changed to emphasising the monastic theology courses and the courses on the theology of the vows and leaving open adaptation of the program according to the possibilities of houses/regions. We think that the changes that have happened in recent years in the theology of the consecrated life, as these are expressed in the last documents of the Magisterium, for example, should be consigned to documents in an “appendix”, to be elaborated in every region. Thus theological and spiritual documents, for instance a document on the theology of the vows could be drafted and could be added to existing documents such as those by B. Olivera, C. Piccardo,†M. Casey, etc, which in turn could be better translated and utilized. In general it seems that the Regions haven’t explored the text of the Ratio sufficiently and that it could be helpful to find means so that everyone can profit from it. 2. We propose texts to accompany the Ratio, as well new texts that have to be composed as other, already existing texts. It seems useful to prepare an open workbook that would contain the Ratio, a document on formation proper to each Region and other documents on the same subject. 3.We propose to our superiors, formators and Regions themes that should be dealt with priority. a) The priority of formation (cf. MGC 2005) b) Formators in the schola caritatis. In the western tradition, it seems wise to continue to talk of spiritual fatherhood and motherhood (R 15) and also of accompaniment (R 16). We think that formation in this area is absolutely necessary. c) The call of Christ is addressed to the whole (integral) person. d) The place of the lectio and of studies in the schola caritatis, with a particular attention for the possibilities for sisters to undertake theological studies. e) Struck by the witness of the young Churches, deprived of means but rich in vocations, and at the same time of the decline of communities rich in experience, wisdom and means, but poor in vocations, we consider it good to elaborate a vocation pastoral as well for the young Churches as for the Northern Churches. Other points were noted in the introduction of Dom Bernardo and we point out the following doctrinal themes that seems to be missing in the Ratio : 2 the person of God the Father and the Trinitarian work 3 the ecclesiology and the spirituality of communion 4 the elaboration of a renewed, Cistercian anthropology, based on texts of our Fathers We underline the advantages of our intercultural and plurilinguistic encounter, in the centre of the Church and of our Order. We all appreciated this particular dimension of our session. With Dom Bernardo, we feel that the future of the Order depends on formation and we hope that this letter, and our session, can stimulate a deep reflexion on formation in our Order in the 21_ century. We thank you for the attention with which you read this letter. In the communion of the Lord, Sr. Pamela Clinton Secretary of Formation of the Order and all Regional Secretaries of Formation, united in June 2008 at Tre Fontane French and Spanish versions follow. |
