Formation for the Future

We are living in an era of fundamental shifts and changes in society. Pope Francis used the term “polycrisis” to describe the dramatic nature of the historic juncture we are witnessing, where wars, climate change, energy problems, epidemics, the migratory phenomenon and technological innovation converge.

According to the Vatican statistics in October 2025, the number of Catholics in the world rose, whereas the number of seminarians, priests, and women and men religious declined. The Church is confronting a crisis of mistrust and lack of credibility. It is wounded by various forms of abuse and is challenged by questions about inclusion and participation in decision-making and ministry. 

At this juncture, we need to look at Consecrated Life, especially the area of Formation. How do we prepare women and men who feel called to Consecrated Life to respond to these challenges as radical disciples of Jesus? How do we envision a Formative programme that would transform persons who reflect the attitudes and actions of Jesus?

The Goal of Formation

According to Vita Consecrata, Formation is the process that nurtures and directs the vocational growth of a person, enabling her/him to develop the skills and attitudes needed to respond to God’s call in a responsible way. The formator shares in the work of the Father who, through the Spirit, fashions the inner attitudes of the Son in the hearts of young women and men (VC 66). Formation is a path of gradual identification with the attitude of Christ towards the Father.

“The primary objective of the formation process is to prepare people for the total consecration of themselves to God in the following of Christ, at the service of the Church's mission” (VC, 65). Formation is intended to have a profound impact on individuals so that their attitude and action will show that they belong completely to God. Pope Francis says, “I invite you to listen to and follow Jesus, and to allow yourselves to be transformed interiorly by his words which are spirit and life.”

The effectiveness of religious in the future will depend on the quality of Formation given to the candidates. The need is for an integral formation that addresses the entire person—body, mind, and spirit—acknowledging the complexity of human and spiritual dimensions.

The Context of Formation

To be relevant and effective, formative processes need to pay attention to the context from which the candidates come and to which they are sent on mission. The socio-economic-political and the religio-cultural context of India needs to form the framework within which the formative processes need to take place.

Millions of Indians are made poor by unjust economic, social, and political systems. Glaring inequality in income and expenditure exists due to landlessness, unemployment and unjust distribution of wealth. This results in poverty and starvation, homelessness, illiteracy, migration, human trafficking, and the like. Those who enjoy economic power have every possibility to have political power and influence as well.

Moreover, India is both multi-cultural and multi-religious. The divisive political strategy used by the present governing system creates division based on religion. Hate speech is often used to keep the majority vote with the political powers that rule the country. Unity in diversity remains a slogan of yesteryear. Hatred towards followers of minority religions like Islam and Christianity is growing by leaps and bounds.

Hierarchical division based on caste still exists in 21st century India. The so-called low castes and Dalits are seen as lesser human beings with no human dignity. Also, the patriarchal mindset internalized by men and women prevents seeing a woman as a person with equal dignity, honor, and rights as a man. Domestic violence, dowry-related harassment, and deaths, selective female feticide, honor killings are the result of a combined effect of caste and patriarchy operative in our country.

The ecclesial context in India is diverse and complex. The Catholic church comprises three ritual churches -- the Syro-Malabar, the Syro-Malankara and the Latin church. Besides, there are Orthodox, mainline Protestant and other independent churches. Working for unity and collaboration among the various churches is another area of concern. Moreover, collaboration between clergy, laity and the religious within a diocese also needs greater attention.

Present Day Challenges

Formation is a dynamic and life-long journey. The candidate who begins her/his formation at the time of initial formation continues it all through her/his life. It is a journey that progresses step by step, fostering holistic development and alignment with Christ. This journey of transformation renews the heart and mind of the person. However, today one experiences several roadblocks on this journey, some of which could be even fatal.

Digital culture and AI could be one of those roadblocks that are difficult to handle. While no one can deny its efficacy or avoid its use, the digital world poses a threat to human existence and Christian commitment. The candidates who join religious life today are born into this culture. The human person who used to be the source, centre, and purpose of all social life seems almost replaced by AI.

Individuals risk becoming ‘followers of the system’ rather than free and responsible persons capable of repentance and moral growth. AI is reshaping human conscience. It creates the rhythm of life and determines what we see and what we do not see. The formative processes need to pay special attention to the formation of conscience in this age of digital insurgency.

Aspirants to religious life often come with mixed motivations. Some come seeking a better standard of living or to get a good education or to escape from an unpleasant family situation. Helping each aspirant to discern their vocation to Consecrated life and/or to purify one’s motivation is another challenge facing formation. Besides, a good number of candidates come from broken or unhealthy family environments and are not accustomed to taking any responsibility. Many also enter religious life without sufficient faith formation.

Another roadblock is the absence of role models in religious communities. After completing the novitiate, a young religious is placed in a community where she/he shares common life with others. It is a crucial time for the new member experiencing life as a religious. Often their formation is adversely affected by other members who are not role models.

Another challenge facing many congregations is finding suitable persons as formators. They need to be people with integrity. Besides adequate training, it is important to ensure that those entrusted with this responsibility are capable of accompanying those in initial formation with compassion.

Road Map for Formative Process

Formation ‘aims at the transformation of the whole person.’ Therefore, ‘Formation should involve the whole person, in every aspect of the personality, in behaviour and intentions,’ says Vita Consecrata (VC, #65). Key to discerning Consecrated Life during Formative years is built upon the conviction that theology -- our exploration into God -- and psychology -- our exploration into our humanity -- are partners and allies in the formative process.

Vita Consecrata too asserts the same by saying, “For formation to be complete, it must include every aspect of Christian life. It must therefore provide a human, cultural, spiritual and pastoral preparation which pays special attention to the harmonious integration of all its various aspects” (VC, #65). Vatican II stresses the same in Gaudium et Spes, “In pastoral care, sufficient use should be made, not only of theological principles, but also the findings of the secular sciences, especially psychology and sociology…” (GS, # 62).

Formation is a shared responsibility involving various agents. They are first and foremost God the Father, through Christ and the Spirit, the candidate, who actively engages in the process, the formator, whose role is vital and irreplaceable, the formative community, Congregation’s culture, and the Church. Moreover, the process of formation is facilitated not so much by the amount of information imparted, but by the quality of relationship which the person in formation establishes with the various agents of formation in the course of the formative schedule.

Furthermore, formative processes need to bring about body-soul integration recognizing the interplay between physical health and spiritual well-being as crucial. In addition, the integration of head-knowledge and heart-knowledge is needed to foster true wisdom, enabling candidates to commit courageously to their mission. Candidates coming from a social milieu that is divided on caste, class, gender, ethnic and religious categories need processes that help them realise social integration for living harmoniously with others.

Attentive nourishing of the spiritual dimension of the candidate is of utmost importance to foster a spiritual outlook and lifestyle. A solid spiritual foundation alone can bring about the desired self-transcendent formation. In addition, formative process needs to provide opportunities towards community building through sharing one’s life experiences and through other means.

A personalized formation is the need of the hour. It is not enough to impart the same kind of instructions and use more or less the same methods for all. Paying attention to the individual gifts and unique problems is a must. Frequent and regular accompaniment of the candidate ensures this personalized formation.

The present-day Indian context requires socially sensitive religious who are attuned to hear the voice of God in the cries of the poor, the oppressed, and the excluded. Pope Francis voices the same in Evangelii Gaudium: “We are called to find Christ in them, to lend our voice to their causes, but also to be their friends, to listen to them, to speak for them…” (EG, #198).

The multi-religious context of India requires that Consecrated persons have some basic knowledge of other religions and their sacred scriptures. This will help in entering into interreligious dialogue and promote harmony.  

To be creative, one needs to be in a relationship of harmony and communion not only with God, oneself and other human beings but also with nature and the whole cosmos. Encouraging candidates to develop connection with nature deepens spiritual growth. Observing creation can inspire awe and formative insights.

We need to encourage a formation that promotes eco-friendly attitude and commitment to the integrity of creation. Right from the beginning, young people must be trained in the art of choosing a simple life, protecting nature and keeping the atmosphere clean. Equally important is to reduce the pollution of mind and heart by cultivating positive thoughts, and, thus, become partners in the project for a better world where every human being, every creature, and all nature can co-exist in harmony.

Concluding Remarks

The unique context of India necessitates a formation that enables a candidate to harmonize different aspects of one’s life into a unified whole. The person in formation is thus enabled to move on the road to transformation by assimilating insights and experiences into a cohesive spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and apostolic identity.

Blurbs

To be relevant and effective, formative processes need to pay attention to the context from which the candidates come and to which they are sent on mission.

The candidates who join religious life today are born into the Digital and AI culture. The human person who used to be the source, centre, and purpose of all social life seems almost replaced by AI.

Helping each aspirant to discern their vocation to Consecrated life and/or to purify one’s motivation is a major challenge facing formation. Many enter religious life without sufficient faith formation.

Another challenge facing many congregations is finding suitable persons as formators. Besides adequate training, it is important to ensure that those entrusted with this responsibility are people with compassion.