II International Encounter of the Formators of Confhic
The II International Encounter of the Formators is taking place at the Mother House of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, in Linda –a-Pastora, from 20 de Julho a 14 de Agosto. Besides the members of the General Government, it counts with the participation of the Major Superiors and the Formators, coming from the four Continents, where the Congregation exercises its Franciscan Hospitaller Mission. The Encounter is being held a little before the World Youth Rally, due to take place in Cologne from 15th to 21st August. This coincidence was for the Congregation
a sign of God that placed it in communion with an event that, if it concerns the Church and the world of youth, it also concerns the Formators of the Congregation who form part of the journey with the youth of this time.

That is why, the message of our Pope John Paul II of fond memory, addressed to the youth who are going to participate in World Youth Day was a mote to delineate the objectives of the Encounter. The Formators also came from afar. From afar:

  • to adore
  • to listen
  • to meet one another
  • to share
  • to foster communion
  • to welcome the new of the Spirit
  • to open new paths.

A week and a half was set aside for the study of and reflection of the themes related to Formation and Consecrated Life today. We would like to highlight the contribution of our Sisters from the different Continents, who presented various topics – Formation for Truth, Bible in Formation, Inter relationship between the different stages of Formation, Formation in Post War Africa – and the collaboration of other experts:

  • Fr. Jesús Maria Palacios, from the Institute of Theology of Religious Life, from Madrid – Vocational Discernment, Vocational Consistency, Agents of Formation and Vocational Accompaniment;
  • Dr. António Couto, Superior General of the Missionaries of Good News – Jesus, Model of a Formator;
  • Frei Fabrizio Bordin, ofm.conv – Franciscan Identity;
  • Fr. Carlos Carneiro, SJ – Panoramic of the Juvenile World.
The other days were set aside for the revision of the Project of Formation and to delineate guidelines for the present and the future of the Franciscan Hospitaller Religious Life.
Photos of various activities of the Encounter: