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A three-day ongoing formation program on the theme “Discernment” was held from December 4th to 6th December 2024 at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Hyderabad. The sessions were facilitated by Fr. Irudaya Raj, SJ, a seasoned resource person known for his expertise in Ignatian spirituality. The event brought together 45 confreres, fostering an enriching environment for learning and reflection.
The sessions commenced at 9:30 AM each day, with a hymn to the Holy Spirit setting the tone for spiritual inspiration. Fr. Thomas Prathap initiated the program by reading two significant articles from the Salesian Constitutions. Following this, Fr. K.P. Mathew introduced the resource person, while Fr. Provincial welcomed the gathering, highlighting the critical role of discernment in the formation process and its necessity in navigating the complexities of ministry today.
Fr. Irudaya Raj began by underscoring the contextual relevance of ongoing formation and its role in revitalizing missions. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, he presented three key criteria for discerning ministries:
- Choose ministries no one has undertaken.
- Go to places where no one has ventured.
- Opt for ministries with multi-dimensional impact.
Key Focus Areas:
The sessions delved into: Synodal Discernment: Emphasizing the Church as a synodal entity and fostering communitarian discernment. Dynamic Mission: Exploring how missions must evolve to respond effectively to the signs of the times. Creative Apostolates: Encouraging participants to take up innovative and impactful ministries. Discerning Leadership: Highlighting that leaders are individuals who actively discern God’s will in their decisions.
Fr. Raj inspired participants to view discernment as a process of discovering the “better good” among available choices rather than a simple dichotomy between good and evil. He urged confreres to reflect on their roles as creative collaborators in God’s mission, echoing the Ignatian principle that “discernment is seeking and discovering God’s will for the present moment in history.”
Through a blend of Ignatian principles and practical applications, the program aimed to equip participants with tools to make their ministries more relevant, responsive, and impactful.
The program concluded with confreres expressing their gratitude for the valuable insights and guidance provided during the sessions. The emphasis on discernment as a cornerstone of effective and creative ministry left a lasting impression on all participants.
