Formation Colloquium: Caring for and generating Marist Life in Asia-Oceania
From January 22 to 25, 2023, Marist brothers from across the Regions of Asia and Oceania gathered at the Marist Asia Pacific Center (MAPAC) in the Philippines to participate in the Formation Colloquium. Based on the previous Colloquium in 2018, this event tried to go deeper into the heart of Marist life, focusing on the theme “Caring for Marist Life”.
One of the primary goals of the Colloquium was to foster connections and build a network among the brothers engaged in formation to the Consecrated Marist Life throughout the region. The importance of collaboration and support in Marist Formation was emphasized.
The meeting had 20 participants from the 2 Marist Regions (6 Brothers from the Province Star of the Sea, 5 Brothers from East Asia, 7 Brothers from Marist District of Asia, 2 Brothers from South Asia) and Brother Ángel Medina, Director of the Secretariat Brothers Today, from the General Administration.
A key component of the Colloquium was the sharing of collective insights. Formators had the opportunity to share their experiences, challenges, and successes to young formators who are stepping into the formation stages.
Participants actively engaged in sharing the details of their respective formation programs, covering various stages of the initial formation such as Vocational Animation, Aspirancy, Postulancy, Novitiate, and Post-Novitiate. This exchange not only facilitated mutual learning but also encouraged each administrative unit to develop and strengthen their formation initiatives, ensuring a consistent and impactful approach across the region.
The Colloquium concluded with a focus on the Asia-Oceania Formation Commission, exploring ways to enrich the vision of initial formation for the region. Discussions centered around the mission of the Marist Institute across Asia and Oceania, seeking to answer crucial questions: What does the mission look like in this diverse and dynamic region? What do we prepare the candidates for?