[52]The Lord provides the future continuity of our family by grantingus new brothers. We accept them with gladness and gratefulness. We
promise, both by word and example, to tell them about the experience of the
Spirit which we received from our Founder. The admission of new members and
their formation is an integral part of our mission service.
Purpose
of formation
[53]Xaverian formation is directed to transform us into disciples of Christ,
the missionary, that we may be sent as apostles of the kingdom to
non-christians. The content, methods, structures of our formation are
conditioned, therefore, by the Xaverian mission project as found in these
Constitutions.
53.1Formation directory:
Everything which pertains to formation is governed by the general formation
directory (Ratio). This directory was drafted in conformity with church
directives to respond to the needs of the Xaverian Society. It may be updated
from time to time by General Chapters or, when so delegated, by the General
Direction. The general directory is complemented and applied more precisely in
regional directories which are approved by the General Direction.
Basic
principles of formation
Pluralism
in unity
[54]Our formation is receptive and adapts to the diverse settings and
ecclesial situations it encounters. It readily dialogues with other cultures,
while recognizing the values and limitations of each. It discovers its unity in
the life project of the Xaverian family, within which the regions enjoy a wide
range for their own originality.
54.1Belonging to the Xaverian family:
Our formation process demands that a profound sense of belonging to the
Xaverian family be imparted and nurtured. This sense of belonging is acquired
through shared like ideals, participation in similar life experiences, and by
being sons of the same father and founder. In our contacts with other
ecclesial movements we are to accept those values which enrich the church, but
we should not identify ourselves with these movements or propose them as such
to our communities.
Gradualism and
progressivism in formation
[55]The formative process unfolds in a progressive and unified manner to
produce persons capable of responsible comportment. This requires that the
educator use patience, courage, optimism to make ever more exacting demands and
that the student respond with ever greater personal involvement and gradual
acceptance of values as one's own.
Embodiment and solidarity
[56]Education for mission requires that we truly live the paradigm to which
we aspire, it means getting involved in missionary areas and situations,
identifying with the least and the outcasts.
Global formation
[57]The formation of Xaverians, inspired by the Spirit, is a collaborative
work involving the whole Congregation, family, parish, school, social milieu,
and specifically the students in formation and their educators. It is the task
of the formation personnel to integrate, unify, provide for all these components
so that our formation may attain its goals.
57.1The formative community:
Formation is the responsibility of every community member within their given
roles. Community is the place where we are encouraged to reveal, change,
commit ourselves. It is there where educators and students may challenge each
other openly about that which is of interest to all.
57.2Formation personnel:
Our formation personnel are to possess: personal maturity, formation
qualifications, spiritual acumen, a sense of belonging to the Society, and a
significant mission experience if at all possible. The Regional Directions are
to select personnel for formation and prepare them professionally according to
a program worked out in agreement with the General Direction.
57.3The Superior in a formation community:
The Superior is the person, who is primarily responsible to animate of the
community, and accountable for community activities and decisions. It is his
duty to hear and advise the students and his collaborators; to determine, with
the formation team, when to present a student for the next stage; to evaluate
formation programs.
Formation
components
Human
and spiritual dimension
[58]Our education process considers Christ, the perfect man, to be the model
for life. It is directed toward the integral and harmonious formation of persons
motivated by faith, hope, and love.The
reference is to living faith viewed as, friendship with the Lord, ability to
view life events in the light of the gospel; unwavering hope which remains
steadfast amidst apostolic challenge; fruitful love which finds fulfillment in
the total gift of self. These gifts of grace find fertile ground in people
possessing a personality which is constant, faithful, serene, creative,
altruistic, able to listen, welcoming, and giving.
Vocation
discernment
[59]The missionary vocation presupposes the presence of basic human qualities
and intellectual, spiritual, apostolic aptitudes which insure the continuous
growth process which in turn leads to joyful personal fulfillment. The growth
process of each candidate is to be assessed along the various stages of
formation.
59.1Formative dialog and Spiritual direction:
The path to full adulthood in Christ is personal and different for each
person. Both the formative process and spiritual direction, carried out in
dialog, provide valid help, and play an important role in vocation discernment
also.
59.2Personal file:
The student is accompanied through the various stages of formation by a
personal file. This file contains documents and information concerning the
candidate and his family. The Superior informs the student about his file and
progress. Each professed student has access to his own personal file in the
archives.
Formation
structures
[60]Preparation for mission requires Xaverian formation to take place in
determined stages and places. This process contributes to promote a fitting life
style, and create the demandingformative
setting which allows for manual work as well as an experience of solidarity with
persons and groups who find themselves in difficult social and ecclesial
situations.
60.1Structures and living arrangements:
The Regional Directions may determine what education possibilities and
arrangements respond to this end: small group living, international communities,
studies completed in mission, pastoral experiences overseas.
60.2Review of educational processes:
An evaluation and revision of our formation processes and structures at various
levels is to be made from time to time.
Stages
of formation
Introduction to the
Xaverian family
[61]For those who, after completing a prior process of vocation discernment,
wish to enter our Society, we offer a time of mutual introduction. This initial
period permits the candidate to know and experience Xaverian life during three
distinct moments: postulancy, novitiate, temporary vows.
61.1
Vocation orientation:
The Xaverian Society assigns select qualifiedmissioners to help young men and young adults discern and mature in
their vocation. Wherever possible and convenient, candidates are invited to
spend some time in a Xaverian community or minor seminary. Before admission
candidates must show an initial preference for mission work, possess the
requisite physical, intellectual and moral qualities for Xaverian life, and
accept the rhythm of our formation communities.
Postulancy
[62]Postulancy is a time of gradual preparation for the novitiate. Postulancy
enables the candidate to move toward making an initial option for the Xaverian
community.
62.1The duration, place and program for postulancy are defined in the
regional directory.
Novitiate
[63]During the novitiate period, which is regulated by canon law, the
candidate is asked to ponder his vocation in the light of the Society charism,
so as to experience our life style and be transformed, mind and heart, according
to its spirit. . The missionary nature of the Society expects the novice to try,
under the guidance of the Master, to blend times of prayer and work so that
apostolic work may become the place for his habitual union
with
God. The novitiate lasts twelve months. Regional norms may provide for one or
more periods of apostolic activity outside of the novitiate community in
addition to this time.
63.1
Admission to novitiate:
The Regional Superior determines who is received into the novitiate. He
decides after being informed by the Superior who accompanied the candidate
thus far. He may also dismiss a novice from the novitiate in like manner. The
minimum age for admission to novitiate is 17, the maximum age is 35. The
Regional Direction, for serious reasons, can allow exceptions, after notifying
the General Direction.
63.2Novitiate program:
During the novitiate the novice is encouraged to follow Christ by accepting
him as the model for his deeds and reflections. Thus, the novice diligently
develops his life of prayer and scripture meditation, he becomes accustomed to
live the mystery of eucharistic celebration. He is able to experience
community life and apostolic activity, in his studies and work he tries to
attain an open and universal perspective. The life of the Society becomes
familiar through the study of the Founder's life, the Constitutions, our
history and activity.The novitiate experience and activity is guided by thatprinciple of continuity which pervades every phase of Xaverian
formation.
The
master of novices
[64]The master of novices is primarily entrusted to see that novitiate
formation goals are fulfilled. He is to have at leastfive years of perpetual profession and possess a meaningful mission
experience.
64.1It is the duty of the novice master to examine and put to the test the
religious missionary vocation of the novices and gradually introduce them into
the spirit of the Society. His role may be complemented through the work of
other members who cooperate in the goals of the novitiate.
Period
of temporary vows
[65]At the end of the novitiate the candidate makes his profession of vows
and is received into the Xaverian family. This time of temporary profession
serves to bring the candidate to a definitive choice for this new life style
through a daily growth process and evaluation. A direct cross cultural
experience, especially in a mission situation may prove fruitful in this
process.
Admission to profession
[66]A novice is admitted to temporary profession by the Regional Superior
with his council. The religious profession is received by the Regional Superior
or his delegate who countersigns the written profession formula. By becoming a
member of the Society the Xaverian enjoys rights and duties as stated in our
rule.
Profession formula
[67]Profession is made in the presence of the Superior. Aprofession formula may be adopted by individual regions or the local
Superior may permit the confrere to write his own profession statement. In any
case, the following is to be included in the text:
"O
God, Creator and Father, I, NN..............
following
your Son, Jesus
in
the presence of my brothers
in
your hands Father NN.............
consecrate
myself by vow for (... year(s), forever) to the apostolic work proper to the St.
Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society.
And
I pledge by vow to live in chastity, poverty and obedience as a brother among
brothers, according to the norms of the Constitutions."
Renewal of profession
[68]When the time for which profession was made elapses temporary vows are
renewed according to the prescriptions of the Regional Chapter. The renewal of
vows takes place in the presence of the local Superior or his delegate.
Temporary vows are made for a period not less than three years and no longer
than six. The Regional Superior may extend this period to nine years, at which
time the candidate either makes perpetual vows or leaves the Society. The
authorization to admit professed members, who request to renew vows, may be
delegated by the Regional Superior to the local Superior.
68.1Automatic withdrawal of a
temporary professed member: A Xaverian, who wishes to leave the Society
when his vows expire, may simply not renew his profession. Such a decision is
not be taken alone, but only in dialogue with one's spiritual director and
Superior.
68.2Non-Admission to renewal of vows:
A temporary professed member may be excluded from renewing vows by the Regional
Superior with his council, save for art. 69.2. This action may be determined by
one's lack of suitability for life with the Society.
68.3Dispensation:
Should a temporary professed member, with due motive, request a dispensation
from vows before they expire, the Superior General, with the consent of his
council, may grant the dispensation after having heard the opinion of the
Regional Superior.
68.4Pastoral experience outside of one's own culture:
A period of pastoral training outside of one's culture may be organized
between the Regional Superiors responsible and the General Direction. The
student is under the direct dependence of the receiving Regional Superior, who
will provide him with a supportive community. For this experience to be
genuinely formative it must be duly prepared, constantly verified and
evaluated whencompleted.
Perpetual
profession
[69]At perpetual profession we definitively choose to follow Christ in
proclaiming the gospel to non-christians within the Xaverian family.
Consequently we are welcomed as full members of the Society forever, we enjoy
the active and passive voting rights according to canonical prescriptions and
our Constitutional norms.
69.1Admission to perpetual profession:
Admission to perpetual profession is granted by the Superior General with the
consent of his council. Candidates are previously presented by the Regional
Direction. Perpetual profession is preceded by an adequate spiritual
preparation. The profession itself is made in the presence of the Major
Superior or his delegate, who also countersigns the written formula.
69.2Exclusion from perpetual profession:
If the Regional Direction decides against presenting someone for perpetual
profession, it will in-form the candidate and advise him to freely withdraw
his request. If the candidate's request is forwarded nonetheless, the General
Direction will decide on the matter, after hearing the opinion of the Regional
Direction.
Preparation
for ministries
[70]We Xaverians, while respecting diverse calls, prepare ourselves to engage
in distinctive ministries in evangelization. Those students who aspire to the
ordained ministry will fulfill the study requirements prescribed by the church.
On the regional level these studies will be completed by whatever other courses
are required in view of mission purpose. Canonical regulations are to be
followed faithfully in admitting candidates to orders. Those who choose to
prepare for non-ordained ministries are to be provided with a professional
preparation which responds to their personal inclinations and mission needs.
70.1Purpose and importance of study:
During the period of preparation for mission adequate time and space is be
allotted to the study of the humanities, philosophy, theology, and culture,
religion, languages of the peoples to whom we are sent. Study is an essential
component of our personal formation in order to develop a critical sense of
human happenings. Study enables us to acquire sensitivities and methods by
which the gospel message may be made incarnate in diverse contexts as well.
70.2Philosophy and theology studies:
The study of philosophy providesa
history of human thought, a systematic consideration of profound human
problems, a presentation of the philosophical and wisdom heritage of various
peoples and continents. Theological studies, accompanied by attentive
listening to the word, leads to a more profound understanding of the mystery
of God in Christ and his redemptive message for all humankind. The student
learns, through his study years, how to harmonize thesestudies, spiritual formation and a pastoral activity in view of our
mission charism.
70.3Preparation and admission to
ordained ministry: For those students called to the missionary priesthood,
the theological course is directed to prepare them to receive the various
related ministries. Whenever a candidate seeks admission to orders, the local
Superior forwards the request with his presentation. The Regional Superior
with the vote of his council decides. This decision must be confirmed by the
Superior General with his council. Ordination to the Diaconate takes place
after perpetual profession and at least six months before priesthood, during
which time the Diaconate is to be exercised.
70.4Preparation for non-ordained ecclesial ministries:
In order to be adequately prepared for their mission vocation the brothers
will follow a post novitiate study program. This training period will provide
qualified theological and pastoral preparation or a technical, scientific,
catechetical specialization certificate.
70.5Transfer from brotherhood to ordained ministry: If
a brother feels called to ordained ministry, first he is to try to discern his
vocation choice. Then he is to write to the General Direction, which will decide
the matter, after receiving a due presentation from the Regional Direction. The
regular prescribed philosophy and theology courses must be followed by the
brother who wishes to be ordained.
Entry
into mission service
[71]The entry into mission activity is a particularly significant moment in
the life of a Xaverian. It commands a cordial acceptance of new surroundings, an
earnest analysis of the situation, study of local languages, concern for urgent
mission priorities, commitment to a life style more fitting to the local milieu
and to his mission vocation.
71.1Immediate preparation for mission:
After arrival in a new region a Xaverian is given a sufficient time period
during which he completes his immediate mission preparation, by observing,
listening and learning. He is assigned to a community, and helped by a person
of experience so that he may gradually be introduced well into his new
surroundings.
Ongoing
formation
[72]If we are to be faithful to the Kingdom, mission, humankind we must
indeed constantly revitalize ourselves in the spirit and qualify the methods and
message we use in our apostolic ministry. Our communities and apostolic works
are the privileged place, the fount and stimulus for continual growth and
conversion. Ongoing formation allows for particular periods of aggiornamento as
well.
72.1Responsibility for ongoing formation:
Each confrere is primarily responsible for his own ongoing formation. The
Superiors are to stimulate the members by providing courses on occasion, and
by providing means and material for this purpose.
72.2Ongoing courses:
All confreres are given the opportunity to attend theological and pastoral
updating courses, take advantage of times for spiritual renewal and pastoral
reflection. These activities may be offered at Xaverian houses, international
centers, or even in Xaverian theology communities.
72.3Specialized study:
Encouragement is given to those courses of specialization considered to be
beneficial to the needs of the various regions.
