The Formators’ Meeting of Mangalore Province was held on the theme “Empowering Formees to Grow in Freedom, Responsibility and Authenticity. Sr Veronica BS led the prayer. Sr Preethi Prathima BS was the facilitator and Sr Shalet D’Souza BS, Coordinator for Formation, welcomed all. Sr Lilly Pereira BS, Provincial Superior, was welcomed and she welcomed the new formators.
In her keynote address, “Eyes that See Beyond Behaviour,” Sr Lilly Pereira the provincial Superior called formators to look beyond behaviour and accompany formees with wonder, reverence and wisdom, nurturing interior freedom, responsibility and authenticity.
Fr Archibald Gonsalves OCD, in his session, highlighted the shift from programme-centred to formee-centred formation. He noted present challenges like anxiety, social media influence and fear of commitment, and emphasized accompaniment, trust, dialogue and holistic growth. The formator is a teacher, guide, companion and partner in discernment. Group discussions suggested practical ways to empower formees – giving choices, involving them in planning, entrusting responsibilities, and creating an atmosphere of trust and openness. The call was to empower rather than control.
In her concluding message, the Provincial Superior urged formators to be courageous, make formation person-centred, and nurture vocations with patience and compassion. The meeting concluded with prayer by Sr Diana Sequeira BS and vote of thanks by Sr Ruth Kaisa BS.
