Bethany Provincialate Vamanjoor hosted a significant Formators’ Meet on 23rd August 2025 under the theme “Nurturing Formees with Divine Touch.” The event brought together the Provincial Superior, Sr Lilly Pereira, along with her councilors, the Province Procurator, community Superiors where Junior Sisters are placed, and all Formators actively engaged in the mission of formation.
The meeting commenced at 9.00 am with a meaningful prayer led by Sr Lavita Moras, setting a reflective and spiritual tone for the day. Sr Shalet, the Coordinator for Formation and Directress of the Junior Sisters, warmly welcomed the Provincial Superior and all the participants.
In her inaugural address, Sr Lilly Pereira acknowledged the quiet yet profound role of the Formators. “Formation is a hidden work, “It is demanding and at times discouraging, but above all, it is a sacred mission.” Her words offered encouragement and reaffirmed the vital role Formators play in the growth and nurturing of young religious women.
The highlight of the meet was a session by the resource person, Sr Alveena Clare BS, the Tertian Directress, who was introduced with great warmth and admiration by Sr Leena Pereira. Drawing from her experience, Sr Alveena spoke on the practical aspects of guiding Formees, quoting Scripture: “Tend the flame, do not quench the Spirit.” She emphasized the need for attentive and compassionate accompaniment in the formation journey and outlined key challenges that Formators often encounter.
To foster collaborative learning, Sr Alveena introduced four insightful case studies for group discussion:
- The Silent Withdrawal
- The Rule vs. The Person
- The Teachings Trap
- The Cultural Clash
These case studies sparked thoughtful dialogue, with participants actively sharing experiences and perspectives. Sr Alveena skillfully moderated the session, helping the group delve deeper into real-life formation challenges and approaches to addressing them effectively.
Following the session, Sr Shalet presented an honest and comprehensive overview of the strengths and struggles currently observed among the Junior Sisters. This led to an open-floor discussion where participants exchanged ideas and collaborated on practical guidelines to support and strengthen the formation process.
The meet concluded with the presentation of concrete action plans, with a collective commitment to implement them in the respective communities. In her closing message Sr Lilly Pereira encouraged a spirit of love, support, and discretion within formation communities. “Let us correct in private, but encourage and appreciate in public,” she reminded the participants.
The meeting drew to a close with a short prayer at 1.00 pm, followed by a fellowship lunch. It was a day marked by insight, collaboration, and renewed purpose, strengthening the foundation of formation in the Mangalore Province.
