In our Congregation interprovincial collaboration for initial formation is an interesting and promising phenomenon. In fact there are quite a number of formation communities and study centres in which formation is carried out with the cooperation of several Provinces, each making their contribution by sending formation personnel, teachers and young men in formation. In addition there are other interprovincial initiatives: preparation for perpetual profession, retreats for deacons, meetings for those in practical training. Finally there is a more recent form of collaboration, which involves the setting up of formation communities for the specific formation of Salesian Brothers.

Ongoing formation is also a fertile soil for interprovincial collaboration. There are a large number of different kinds of links, various levels of service, aimed at different groups. There are occasional meetings, periodic initiatives, structured programmes. At regional level there are on offer updating courses, seminars, materials to aid animation. Meetings are held for Provincial Formation Delegates, for formation personnel and various groups of confreres, especially Rectors, Salesian Brothers, Salesians both Priests and Brothers in their quinquennium years.

The Ratio is aware of the inability of the Provinces to carry out on their own all their formation responsibilities and recognises their need for mutual assistance; because of this it recommends “strong and courageous decisions for collaboration between Provinces” (FSDB 230). These notes are intended to examine more closely and focus on practical decisions, with regard to initial formation only; they are meant to draw out the reasons that may encourage the practice of interprovincial collaboration, identifying some questions, pointing out the priority areas for attention and proposing some requirements for their implementation.

1. Reasons for collaboration

Today it is difficult for one Province on its own to be able to cater for all or almost all of the stages of initial formation. It sometimes happens that in order to have a provincial solution considerable sacrifices are made with only partial results and some doubtful choices. It is therefore necessary to think about the reasons that might help in determining a decision based on conviction for interprovincial collaboration which cannot be a forced choice or just a lesser evil; in fact it is an opportunity to be weighed up even though it may be a challenge that has to be faced.

1.1. Experience of the charismatic identity

Initial formation is an experience of charismatic identity; it is a process of identification with the vocation; it is the gradual, responsible, and total assumption of the obligations that derive from it. The fundamental criterion that should guide us in the choices we make regarding formation is that of offering our candidates and young confreres experiences of the Salesian vocation that are valid, attractive and absorbing. We ought to pride ourselves on offering them meaningful experiences that provide the best formation conditions so that they can follow a good human, spiritual, intellectual and apostolic process. The Congregation has many examples of experiences and formation resources to offer young men. The formation choices that are made require a discernment process attentive to the charismatic quality of the experience offered. The charismatic criterion is the foundation of every formation decision and therefore also of the decision in favour of interprovincial collaboration.

1.2. Constitution of the formation community

During initial formation the one in formation “learns by experience the meaning of the Salesian vocation” (Con. 98). Now the community is one of the fundamental values. Every Salesian community is a setting for formation; but for initial formation the Congregation wants a community with special features: a “formation community” (FSDB 222). Special attention needs to be given to this kind of community, so that the conditions for a meaningful experience may be assured.

To carry out its tasks adequately, the formation community needs to be constituted of the right quality and number of members. If the community has too few people in formation there are certain limitations: the experience of living together and of constant give and take are weakened; relationships are limited; community activities such as discussions, sport, theatre, music, apostolates are restricted. If then the formation personnel are insufficient in number, their formation influence is generally diminished, since there is a lack of personal interaction and interpersonal relationships, of animation and encouragement, accompaniment and guidance.

In this regard the Instruction on formation in Religious Institutes Potissimum Istitutioni quotes an expression of John Paul II, who says: “It will therefore be good that the young, during the period of formation, reside in formative communities where there should be no lack of the conditions required for a complete formation: spiritual, intellectual, cultural, liturgical, communitarian, and pastoral; conditions which are rarely found together in small communities. It is therefore always indispensable to keep drawing from the pedagogical experience of the Church all that can assist and enrich formation, in a community suitable to the individuals and to their religious vocation”.¹

The Ratio recognises the weakness of some formation communities and recommends collaboration between Provinces: “In more than one situation the conditions for ensuring the consistency of formation centres in terms of quality and numbers are such that it is not easy for a single Province all by itself to meet them. In such cases, it is desirable that a few Provinces, especially if they belong to the same cultural context, pool their resources to set up interprovincial formation structures” (FSDB 300). More specifically, considering the weakness of the formation, which is “one of the criteria for the setting up of a formation community”, it states that it is “necessary in some situations to make strong and courageous decisions for collaboration between Provinces.” (FSDB 230).

It would be as well therefore that as far as possible the Provinces avoid setting up or maintaining formation communities with a small number of confreres in formation and few formation personnel. By preference they should combine with other Provinces in an interprovincial collaboration so that together they might be in the position to provide the formation that alone they could not offer the young confreres.

1.3. Quality of the study centre

In a complex and pluralistic society one needs to have an open and critical mentality capable of discernment and dialogue. The choice for Salesian life needs to have a profound Christian cultural background, that helps a convinced faith and a motivated vocational experience to mature. Education and evangelisation, in particular the dialogue between faith and culture, demand a knowledge of the world of youth, a pastoral mentality, pedagogical competence, and a professional approach. Providing guidance for the adults involved in our mission requires the basis of a well-recognised competence. Today therefore there is an indispensable need for “a solid and up-to-date intellectual formation based on serious study, one that develops the ability to reflect, to make judgements and to be discerning in the face of situations.” (FSDB 124).

The quality of intellectual formation therefore is a matter of some urgency. This means having sound programmes of study, with an emphasis on pastoral development; uptodate methods of teaching and of study which foster reflection and involvement; a well prepared group of teachers who are able to relate well to the student confreres. A commitment to give a Salesian slant to intellectual formation is also demanded; and this requires a “Salesian sensitivity” in the way topics are dealt with (cf. FSDB 160), the choice of subjects which deal with our pastoral work (Reg. 82), the “study of specifically Salesian subjects” (FSDB 160).

For this reason the Congregation has decided in ordinary circumstances on the choice of a Salesian study centre: “Among the different kinds of study centres, preference is to be given to the Salesian centre which offers a programme of studies with a Salesian slant and a particular pastoral and pedagogical character, and favours a blending of intellectual formation with an overall formation plan and a special relationship of Salesian students with their teachers;” (FSDB 145). There follows an explicit invitation: “the Salesian centre is ordinarily to be preferred” (FSDB 168).

The Regulations require that “the provinces able to do so should have their own study centre for the formation of the confreres” (Reg. 84). A Salesian study centre is a heavy burden for a Province; “Collaboration among the Provinces is therefore advisable and oftentimes necessary.” (FSDB 146). In fact for the proper functioning of a study centre “they have to be solicitous in the first place for its teaching staff, and therefore its academic structural organization as well as the preparation, permanence, rational deployment and necessary replacement of the personnel, teachers to be qualified in those subjects that give the centre a Salesian complexion.” (FSDB 146). For this reason the Ratio says: “There should be a determined and serious collaboration on the interprovincial level in establishing Salesian study centres” (FSDB 171).

It would be well therefore that the Provinces, as far as possible, try to establish their own study centre or combine with other Provinces in the same context, in which there is already a Salesian study centre or with whom to set up a new one. Only “when it proves impossible to frequent a Salesian study centre, even at interprovincial level” (FSDB 178), can there then be other solutions, but it must be a case of a real impossibility.

2. Questions about collaboration

In addition to these positive considerations, which would encourage a positive view of interprovincial collaboration, one also finds some hesitation about its value. In fact there are Provinces which sometimes have doubts about collaboration in formation. For this reason it is important to consider the questions that arise about interprovincial collaboration especially those connected with contextualisation, inculturation, anad intercongregational collaboration in formation.

2.1. Contextualisation of formation

Formation is something that is contextualised. In fact it takes place in a particular context, which is determined by a number of factors: the social condition of the area, the culture and life style of the people, the situation of the Church, Provincial practice. The context with its advantages or disadvantages has a considerable inpact and influence on the formation process.

Our Constitutions require of each Province “through the various organs of animation and government to lay down the method of formation according to the needs of its own cultural context” (Cost. 101). The Ratio adds that “this responsibility requires a permanent attitude of reflection and dialogue between Salesian identity and the cultural context. Collaboration in this field is to be encouraged among Provinces that are in similar circumstances”. (FSDB 17)

Now then, when a choice is made for an interprovincial formation community, sometimes doubts arise about there being possible neglect in paying attention to the context; it is thought that those in formation may find themselves in a situation which will not help them to mature, given that they are being placed in a context “different” to that of the Province. The idea of “formation in context” is correct but it needs to be explained further.

Nowadays we are aware that formation cannot be limited simply to the context of the province, but must have wider horizons. The local and immediate context in fact is not the only one in which we live. Often within a province there are many contexts with considerable differences. Again, we belong at one and the same time to a plurality of contexts. For example, we live in the context of the local Salesian community, but also that of the provincial community and of the world-wide community; we are located in a particular area but also in that of the wider region, of the country, of the continent, of the world; we are part of a parish, but also a particular Church, of a Conference and of the universal Church. Very often we also live in “plural contexts” in which there are marked differences, as for example the pluricultural, multiethnic, interreligious contexts. Globalisation and immigration are certainly processes that produce a “mixing pot” of contexts.

Yet in the variety of contexts, practising discernment, we can still find homogeneous contexts. If we compare two contexts we find similarities and differences, with positive aspects to be embraced and negative ones to be purified. Again contexts are not static but evolving. It is therefore possible to find a homogeneous context in a group of Provinces in the same country or Conference or Region. Today, for example it could be said Europe is in the process of becoming ever more homogeneous as a context; analogous situations can be found in other Regions of the Congregation.

In an interprovincial formation community therefore, especially when it forms part of the same Conference or Region, contextualisation is not ignored. At the same time, the interprovincial community provides those in formation with the experience of different situations, creating openings for minds and hearts. It fosters the ability to fit into different circumstances through its openness to the outside, through an analysis of the situation, discernment, a response to needs. Certainly the process needs to unfold gradually.

2.2. Inculturation of formation

Inculturation in initial formation is a process of personalisation; it occurs when the values of the vocation are assumed first of all into the culture of the one in formation, in such a way that he changes his way of thinking, his attitudes, his way of life, his behaviour. In this sense formation always needs to be inculturated; in fact without a personal identification with the charismatic values there is no formation. To facilitate this process, generally the first formation takes place in the cultural context of the one in formation or in a similar one.

On the other hand inculturation in initial formation is a community process, one could say a process of socialisation, in which the charism is expressed in a particular culture. The formation community is the principal subject which begins, accompanies and assesses the process. For this reason the community needs to have a knowledge, an understanding and an experience of the charism; it is necessary that it knows its history, its identity, its expressions. In addition the community needs to know the culture of the context and the way of thinking of those in formation, so that they may be helped to assume the charismatic values in their own culture. Therefore it is a community that communicates, interprets and expresses the charism in a particular culture and in a specific context.

Besides this, inculturation always needs to be accompanied by a process of intercultural experience. This opens the one in formation to other cultures, leads him to appreciate their positive aspects and to recognise their limitations, brings him to value his own culture without making it an absolute value, and therefore invites him to assimilate and to integrate some valid elements of the other cultures with his own. This dialogue or exchange between cultures is an enriching experience which complements the process of inculturation. The interprovincial communities are open to a wider vision of the Salesian charism; they help to form the sense of belonging to the Congregation, attention to the needs of the young people of the world, a global vision of the urgent need for evangelisation, which are things that go beyond the horizons of the province.

The processes of inculturation and intercultural experience in initial formation are strictly connected to the charism, at the service of which they take their place. Ordinarily in the first phases of formation, until the postnovitiate – practical training, we need to pay great attention to the processes of inculturation, that is to the transformation of the culture of the one in formation. This requires a knowledge of the person, closeness, continuity in formation, accompaniment in the processes of change. Starting from the phase of specific formation, we need to pay more attention to the processes of intercultural experience. In this stage those in formation will be seen to have reached a certain degree of maturity in culture and faith and to possess an adequate openness and critical sense; they are therefore able to cope positively with it.

2.3. Intercongregational collaboration in formation

In today’s world of communion and collaboration among Institutes of religious life, some Provinces ask themselves whether it would not be better to attend intercongregational study centres. This would help in having a knowledge of other charisms and foster a pastoral approach of togetherness in the Church. The Instruction of the Congregation for Consecrated Life, entitled “Inter-Institute collaboration for formation,” has gone into the question of the situation regarding collaboration in the area of formation.

The Instruction states that “every institute has a primary responsibility for its own identity” and that “it is in the process of formation that the charismatic identity is acquired”; for this reason “the first responsibility for the formation of religious belongs by law to each institute”². In addition it says that “The formation community is a primary point of reference for which no intercongregational centre can substitute.”³ This means that in study centres in which we collaborate with other religious Institutes – as for example in Belo Horizonte, Caracas, Melbourne, Nairobi – the formation community assumes the taxing responsibility of ensuring the Salesian identity of the intellectual formation and makes sure that some requirements in regard to the study centre are fulfilled (cf. FSDB 178.180).

According to the Instruction, collaboration between Institutes for formation demonstrates a practical form of solidarity between the religious families who are better off in numbers and resources and those poorer; contributes to a better appreciation of one’s own charism and of that of others; offers an eloquent testimony to the communion to which the Church is called by divine vocation; and is of great assistance so that formation acquires the level and the breadth that the mission of religious life requires in the context of the modern world⁴. On the other hand faced with the situation regarding existing collaboration, the Instruction “considers itself responsible to offer some reflections and timely directives for the monitoring, consolidation, and development of these experiences”.⁵

However, it would be an impoverishment for religious life itself and for the Church if in the name of these advantages there were to be the centralisation of formation for all religious in a geographical area and culture in a single study centre. Forms of collaboration between religious Institutes, also in formation, are varied and should be developed; not necessarily should this collaboration be by means of a common study centre. Each Institute is called upon to enrich the Church with the contribution of its own charism, which is not limited to its mission but includes different aspects: community life, prayer, the practice of the evangelical counsels and also formation.

If our Provinces, also by means of interprovincial collaboration, are able to set up a study centre with really Salesian characteristics, “as far as is possible it should also be open to externs, religious and lay, as a service to the particular Church” (Reg. 84), this is an enrichment for all. The Ratio in fact is convinced that “Salesian centres can offer the Province and the local Church a qualified service of spiritual, pastoral and cultural animation, such as: initiatives for the updating of confreres, members of the Salesian Family and the laity; professional advice for provincial and interprovincial bodies; research papers, publications, and the preparation of materials for use in animation; and various initiatives in conjunction with Church and religious bodies” (FSDB 146).