CSsR Secretariat of Formation

5.7.a) TRANSITION TO MINISTRY (TTM)

12 December 2020

(version 2020/06/07)

Studies have shown that a very high proportion of those confreres who make the decision to leave religious life, do so in the first five years after initial formation. While recognizing the need for them to immerse in the apostolic life of the communities of the Province, their personal care and sensitivities need to be looked into lest they become candidates for early burn out. On the other hand, the stage of Transition to Ministry is most often neglected in the Units of the Congregation, or it receives too little direct attention.

“The Purpose of this program… is to accompany the confrere and help him to consolidate his sense of community and co-responsibility in a new setting. It should be a formal structured program, which includes all the dimensions of our “vita apostolica”, and is under the direction of a well-balanced confrere as a mentor… It may be advisable for certain Units to develop at least some parts of this program in inter-unit collaboration at the Conference or inter-Conference level.” (Ratio Formationis C.Ss.R. 2003, Nr.137)

During this period: a) candidate for priesthood/diaconate transits to presbyterial ministry and the mission of the Congregation: which includes the diaconate, priestly ordination, pastoral practice; b) Brother fully integrates in the Consecrated Life and the mission of the Congregation (cf. the “Guidelines” or “Directory” of the pastoral formation of the Brothers;, RF 13.7).

It is a period during which a perpetually professed confrere (Cleric or Brother) makes his transition from Initial Formation to one of the apostolic communities of the Unit. This takes place in two steps: 1) within a Formation Community and 2) in an active Apostolic Community of the Unit. (RF 13.7).

1) Within a Formation Community: The TTM stage follows immediately after final profession. The time of studies (for priesthood or an academic degree for brothers) usually lasts longer than three years after the first profession required as a minimum for final profession, and the initial formation ends by final profession (RF 13.6). A confrere in this first step has to stay in a formation community because he has to finish his studies – to get a degree and/or be ordained a priest or a permanent deacon. Only after that the second step starts – move to another apostolic community. This stage (TTM)as a whole could be seen as a first part of continuing formation. It should in small but certain steps lead to continuing formation without sudden steps. The required elements for the first step of TTM are very similar or equal to the previous stage (“From Temporary to Perpetual Profession”), because it is realized within a Formation Community (Human, Spiritual, Community, Academic dimensions, with more accent in Pastoral dimension), bearing in mind that the confrere in this stage is already finally professed. This first step could be a great help for the next step that means a full integration of a confrere in an active Apostolic Community.

2) In an active apostolic community: Transition to Ministry Program (TMP) is particularly developed as a guiding principle, following the objectives of the Transition to Ministry drawn out by the General Government and faithful to the 2003 Ratio Formationis CSsR directives. This is a program designed to help confreres in their first five or ten years after final profession, as they move towards full and active participation in the life and missionary work of the communities in the Unit. The interaction, exchanges and cooperation involving individual confreres, the Program Director, the Provincial through the Secretariat on Formation and the Redemptorist communities is important in ensuring a dynamic and healthy Transition to Ministry Program.

It is envisioned that after the program the confrere will be able to integrate learnings, realizations, skills, talents and even one’s own weakness and limitations into his ministry as a Redemptorist Missionary.

Transition or ‘uprooting’ from a structured environment of a formation community to a differently structured active missionary community and ministry can be challenging for an Individual Confrere. While it is his primary responsibility to continue his process of human and spiritual growth, deepen his experience of apostolic community and commitment, continue his academic, professional and pastoral learning, he cannot be left alone. It is for this reason that a well-balanced confrere accompanies him in his process of transition as a mentor.

The Program Director serves as mentor and also facilitates and coordinates the Transition to Ministry Program with those involved. Prior to the deployment of individual confreres, it is a responsibility of the Program Director to sit down to discuss the TMP, and level off with the community where the confrere will be assigned. He will need to travel and visit the confreres in their assigned outposts. Some salient aspects of the program involve Inter-Provincial and Conference collaboration in keeping with the emphasis on restructuring reshaping our Congregation today. The support of the Unit Council and the Secretariat of Formation can do much in making the necessary linkages possible.

Under the direction of the Formation Secretariat, and counting on the support of the Provincial and his Council it is crucial that the local communities to which individual confreres are sent are fully aware and understand the TMP to ensure that conditions for their healthy ongoing integration and formation are met. Before any assignment is given, the individual confreres and the Program Director will gather for workshops, study, retreats, opportunities for sharing, etc. and they should do this once a year.

The Members of the Local Communities are responsible for supporting and encouraging the continuing formation of the confrere in the Transition to Ministry. Not only the formation houses should have a spiritual and fraternal ambiance, but every redemptorist´ community, especially the community where the confrere in TTM is assigned.

The Local Superior/Rector ensures that the necessary community life and structures (Plan for Community Life) actually exist, structures that encourage growth in each of the five dimensions (human, spiritual, community, academic/professional, pastoral) are present, willingness and preparation of the community to integrate our younger confrere as part of the mission team. Through their personal example of prayer lead the confrere into a life of prayer. Similarly trough their personal example of missionary life lead the confrere into a missionary zeal.

Greater collaboration between Units in the Conference is strengthened and developed from the initial stage of formation. Possibilities are provided for confreres in the transition to Ministry program for engagement in Inter-Provincial collaboration. The Program Director in his capacity as mentor and facilitator/coordinator, oversees the healthy engagement of the individual confreres through regular visits to their foreign country of assignment as well as strengthening linkages, promote greater awareness and goodwill among members in the communities where the confreres in the TTM are assigned.

THE HUMAN DIMENSION

Freedom: During this period of transition the confrere should be helped to develop a deeper maturity in the use of freedom and to live in an atmosphere of openness and trust. (RF 2003 Nr. 138)

Awareness and Acceptance: The confrere is encouraged to develop the skills of accepting oneself as a Person and accepting others as Persons (Const. 36) by sharing, encouraging one another and living them out in community life and apostolate.

Creativity, Active Choice and Decision Making: The confrere aims at developing the skill to choose and decide according to his talents and capabilities. The skill to have dialogue with others when actively choosing and deciding. The ability to allow certain decisions to be made by others and consciously and freely choose to abide by them and thus live out his vow of obedience.

Love for the community and apostolate: The program should strengthen the love the confrere has for the ministry and for community.

The superior of the community and the program director should supervise also the human growing of the confrere – healthy lifestyle and care for oneself, access to a counselor if needed, contact with the family on appropriate regular basic, etc.

THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION

The most important function of the TMP is to continue the following of Christ as the center of his consecrated life. (RF: 2003, Nr. 139)

Since he has ‘a right and duty to devote at least one hour every day to prayer’ (Const.30), he shall be faithful to a (personal) life of prayer and community life of prayer. He continues to deepen the spiritual exercises he has already developed during the formation program (Annual retreat, Choosing the confessor, Spiritual Director).

Personally, at other times and particularly during the days of recollection he will devote some time to contemplation on the word of God he is called to proclaim.

Taking for granted that there is a high clarity of vision in the living out of the Redemptorist Charism, opportunities should be given to creatively live out and develop the Redemptorist Charism in the situation in which he lives and works.

Developing and deepening the awareness that life and religion form one integral whole in a Redemptorist. Developing an awareness that one’s calling is a steady growing in celebrating and enjoying the Redemptorist Priesthood/Brotherhood.

THE COMMUNITY DIMENSION

He should be trained in the skills of

  • Building trust among all in the community,
  • Cooperation and collaboration with Redemptorist and Non-Redemptorist/Lay persons
  • The skill to listen to one another and accept the other in his view-points.

As it is the moment of transition a confrere should be guided by the superior and the community to integrate himself into the life, work and ministry of his new community.

The confrere should make it a point to meet the superior/mentor once a month to share about his spiritual life, apostolate and community life. The superior/mentor should make himself available to accompany the confrere in his struggles. The confrere and the superior should discuss together before and after the apostolic work.  It is the duty of the superior to motivate the confrere to a balanced life of prayer and apostolic activity. Superior should evaluate periodically and guide the confrere in spiritual life and human growth, in a fraternal manner as a brother and guide.

Through community meetings, the confrere aims to review our life of work, of prayer, of community and of apostolate. These meetings should be held at least once a month. Frequent sharing should be encouraged to become aware of his particular characteristics, traits and temperaments, encouraging one another to accept these in the living out of community life and in the apostolate. Sharing one´s own experiences, joys and difficulties with a confrere of confidence (preferably his mentor or superior) is very important in this stage. Our communities nowadays have lower number of confreres. The community dimension is not only a question of a closer collaboration between the Units but also the atmosphere in the communities that should be more as in a family. We are heading to a time when we will know each other more personally. It is important that the confrere feels in the community as at home, not as in a hotel. Every effort is to be done to avoid isolation and individualism of confreres.

Healthy forms of recreation are to be encouraged. Through community prayers, meals and recreation he aims to build and strengthen relationships.

In moments of crisis which disturbs his personal life or the life of the community while being made aware of this by the Superior and accepting the role of the Superior in this, he freely chooses ways of working out a method by which he comes out of the crisis, keeping in mind the welfare of the community.

THE ACADEMIC DIMENSION

He is to develop a habit of reading and studying pattern in order to keep in touch with the ongoing reflection on serious theological, pastoral, social and human issues.

Training in the planning of mission programs for adults and youth, writing of sermons and talks and the dynamics connected with these namely planning, developing, simplicity of style, kerygmatic delivery are to be stressed.

The confrere should be made aware of local guidelines for healthy understanding of professional boundaries.

He shall utilize modern media of communication skills to proclaim God’s word.

Training in Spiritual Direction counseling skills and counseling in the sacrament of reconciliation are to be given emphasis.

This is a time for a specialized studies of a confrere for the benefit of the Unit/Conference.

He shall be exposed to parish administration and creative ways of proclaiming God’s word.

He is to attend regular courses and seminars on matters of spirituality, ministry, mission, and the spirit of St. Alphonsus and is to acquire fresh skills necessary to be effective and efficient apostle in his Unit/Conference.

THE PASTORAL DIMENSION

The values to be inculcated further are: commitment to the Poor, (CC 1, 3, 4, 5,) and simplicity of Life (CC 64, 65, 68, and S 044).

He shall develop certain skills in order to share in the struggles of the poor, to recognize and to reach out to the most abandoned. Thus, he effectively takes the word of God to the most abandoned.

Learning to be satisfied with the common necessities of life and avoid the craving for luxuries and comforts. He learns to share and not possess. (C 64)

Practical exercises to learn and improve his preaching and pastoral ministerial skills.

He should be opened to non-Redemptorist organizations for co-operation and collaboration particularly with the laity. What he learned in previous steps about PIM he is to put in practice now in the TTM in close collaboration with our lay partners (Directory for Partnership on Mission)

Struggle against individualism.

Avoid creating a copy of the formator/superior of the community/mentor.

Avoid the clericalization which distances him from the missionary reality with the people. Lead him to stay even closer to the people especially those in need (poor and abandoned people of today). An openness to our lay partners will be of great help in this area.

Growing in knowledge of the Policy and Protocol for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons developed by the Unit.

Other overriding principles:

  1. The confrere in the program is treated as an adult and no longer a formand (it is valid especially in the second step of this stage), thereby a certain degree of confidence, knowledge, decorum and human maturity is expected of him. One who was professed and had taken on the duties of the ordained ministry has a wise sense of responsibility and commitment to the Congregation and the Church in general. However, being new to the ministry, he needs the benevolent accompaniment and mentoring of a seasoned Redemptorist confrere. The Program Director sees to it that the confrere will have his mentors to follow up and assist whether he is assigned to the parish or mission team (they may include e.g. Parish Priest, Rector, Mission coordinator).
  • It is understood that the confrere in this program is assigned to a community or mission team whose members are supportive and very well understand his stage and the Transition to Ministry Program in which he is. The tendency of treating the newly professed/ordained confrere as additional manpower for various works and commitments should be avoided.
  • For the newly Ordained and Finally Professed to have a deep grasp of our missionary charism, quality immersion and experience in our mission to the poor and the most abandoned is necessary before he is assigned to other ministries. Professionally, he should have a solid grounding of our mission accompanied not only by a competent pastoral director but also a mentor who is able to integrate the different aspects of our life.
  • Since a confrere will be engaged of full-time mission work, he may not be given a Provincial assignment or major responsibilities so as not to disrupt his own pacing or the Transition to Ministry Program itself.
  • During the TTM he should taste – if possible – every apostolate in the Unit, with the help of the program director and the superiors/members of the communities in which he is assigned to. If there are foreign missions he should be in that apostolate for some time (usually 3 years), with adequate preparation (language, visits to foreign mission centers etc.). Likewise, he should be assigned to a Parish team ministry (confessions, preaching, healing ministry, visiting the sick, pastoral in the hospitals, prison ministry, social ministry, youth ministry in the parish). During this time, he should be involved also in vocation ministry, retreat ministry.
  • In TMP there must be precisely settled the way how to grow in the community life – the importance of Plan of community life of every community is highlighted. It is not only the confrere at the TTM stage that is to grow in this area, but also the other members of the community as their part of continuing formation. No rule for community growth for the confrere in TTM helps if the community does not live as a redemptorist community in all its dimensions: deepening of commitment to Jesus, growth in redemptorist charism, witness to life of prayer and service, fraternal community life… 
  • Partnership in mission – since our lay partners take an important place in our redemptorists´ life and mission, it is necessary that the confrere in TTM stage learns to collaborate with them. It is assumed that this collaboration and partnership in mission is not something completely new for the confrere, but now in this stage he can live practically what he has learned in theory before. The Directory for Partnership in mission could be a great help.

THE END OF PROGRAM

The confrere at the end of this program will be able to gradually recognize his ‘vocation within his vocation.” It is understood that his commitment to develop particular skills and capabilities is geared towards addressing particular needs of the Province/Conference/Congregation. Thus, particular course/s shall be taken according to the desired specialization (e.g. Youth accompaniment, Social Development Studies, Social Media, Spirituality, Organizational Development, Anthropology and the Social Sciences, Culture and the Arts, Foreign language studies, continuing theological studies – but not limited to these only.)

The Transition to Ministry Program culminates with the director organizing an End-point Ritual conveying the deep spiritual roots of this journey of transition to ministry. In coordination with the Provincial, the Director may gather together those involved in the confreres´ 5-year journey of Transition to Ministry to mark the event. Rituals affect the senses and evoke a deeper meaning. It is an important way of reminding about the values we Redemptorists hold dear and our commitment to the mission entrusted to us by the Redeemer.

Next Stage – continuing formation

The time of transition to ministry could be seen as a first part of the continuing formation. It is evident that many elements that were learned in initial formation have to have their continuity during our entire life. Continuing formation of the formation team is the context in which confreres are offered a life-long formation project. The evangelical values are not primarily a theory but a living reality which are transmitted from person to person and from group to group. If there is no permanent formation, very soon there will be the permanent frustration (Fr. Amedeo Cencini).

Bibliography

  1. Sacred Scripture
  2. The General Constitutions and Statutes of the Redemptorists
  3. Ratio Formationis Generalis
  4. Biographies of St. Alphonsus and our Saints and Blessed
  5. Documents of the XXIV and XXV General Chapters.
  6. The Profile of a Redemptorist confrere formed according to the new vision (Documents of the XXIV General Chapter, #s 6.12 – 6.17).
  7. Directory for Partnership in mission, Curia Generalis, Rome 2020
  8. Raponi, S., “The Charism of the Redemptorists in the Church. A Commentary on the Constitutions”, 2003.
  9. CORRIVEAU, Raymond C.Ss.R. (General Editor) The Apostolic Life of the Redemptorists – Some Perspectives, The General Secretariat for Redemptorist Spirituality, 2009
  10. LONDOÑO, Noel C.Ss.R. (General Editor) To be a Redemptorist Today. Reflections on the Redemptorist Charism.  Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publications, 1996.
  11. Redemptorist Spirituality 5 vols
  12. Tools for Formators 5 vols.
  13. Perfectate Caritatis, Vatican II Conciliar Document
  14. Vita Consecrata, Apostolic Exhortation, Rome 1996
  15. Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI
  16. Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis
  17. Potissimum Institutioni (Directives on Formation for Religious Institutes), Rome, 1990
  18. Safeguarding Tools