Botswana and South Africa

Formation - Fr. Pat Sheridan C.P.

No matter how excellent a formation program or a formation community might be, we know that the real formation has already taken place in the family of any candidate who might join us and so each year before we accept postulants into the community I try to visit each of their homes if possible. While this is a journey of several thousand kilometres it is more a journey of hope and faith. Hoping that we are doing the right think, that we are getting it right in our efforts to build up Passionist Community in Africa and trusting that indeed in his own mysterious ways, God is calling this particular young man to the Passionist Congregation.

At present in this Vicariate we have 24 students in formation. 7 Professed, 4 novices, 3 in 2nd year philosophy, 4 in 1st year philosophy and six in an Introductory year. As it turned out on my recent visit to Zambia and Malawi, I was able to visit the homes of nearly all our students from there since I was passing through the towns where their families stay. I always receive a great welcome from families some of whom while poor in material things are very rich in hospitality and warmth. I usually return home tired but feeling blessed and affirmed in my work.

The novitiate has now started in Molepolole with Michael the novice director and Julian his assistant. Because we are so short in Personnel the 1st year postulants came here to Irene to join with our philosophy students. The philosophy students study at the Franciscan House of studies while the Postulants study at home. Some teachers from outside help with English, Scriptures and Computer Studies while I teach things like Human development, Vatican II, and some introductory courses to Christology etc.

With an ageing group of finally professed from Ireland and Scotland a a middle group who by and large are in parishes alone, the real challenge for formation at present is how to bring the 27 who are at present in formation into a more community based way of life and apostolate. That is the topic of our assembly (which will include the 7 temporary professed students) being held at Forest Hill from the 17th 19th May.