Attachment
7 -
Perpetuandi Course
Rationale
“An act of such great importance which marks the entire life of the Salesian and establishes a new and permanent bond between him and the congregation requires a suitable period of proximate preparation.” (RFIS 502)
“A member makes his perpetual profession when he has reached the level of Salesian spiritual maturity commensurate with the importance of such a step. The celebration of this act is preceded by an appropriate period of immediate preparation.” (C 117)
Meaning and Significance
“By preparation for perpetual profession we mean the period comprising the process of discernment and verification prior to making a definitive option, including the application, admission, and immediate preparation for the act of profession; it is therefore not limited to preparing for the ceremony of profession after the admission has taken place.” (RFIS 503)
Aims
This period of preparation has the following aims:
The verification of a vocation in the light of lived experience
by going back over the whole of formation evaluating the story of his vocation in the presence of God, assessing the soundness of his motivations
the local and provincial community accompany him in the process, gauging his suitability for a definitive commitment to Salesian consecrated life, the strength of his motivations, and the presence of the spiritual maturity required
discernment and admission to perpetual profession call for a particular sense of responsibility, and depend on an overall assessment of the formation experience based on positive elements
The maturing of a new personal synthesis:
awareness of special nature of perpetual profession,
deepening of motivations, growth in a sense of belonging to the congregation,
reformulates his project of life from the standpoint of the charism and its values, looking ahead with an attitude of continuing formation
A definitive option motivated by and based on God’s grace
final decision to embrace Don Bosco’s apostolic project
bases his fidelity on God who has loved him first and always
finds support in the assistance of his confreres and in his love for the young
considers it better to prolong the temporary vows or decides to cease from being a Salesian
This period, therefore, highlights the need for personal self-examination in the light of the Salesian project, gives time to meditate again on the Constitutions and ponder on the fundamental themes of consecrated life, is a time for reflecting on the meaning of profession, its singular and definitive character, its ecclesial implications, and on the rite of profession.
It is a time of recollection, of a deeply personal encounter with Jesus Christ, with Don Bosco, through prayer and spiritual direction.
Phase One – July to December
July 8 -
a. Vocation verification: awareness of a call and the response
Clarification of Motivations/ Vocation Story
August 12 - Fr. Danny Torres, SDB
Prayer: Primacy of God in one’s life/ Fostering a Contemplative Attitude
Praying with one’s personality type
September 9 - Nature and Demands of a Commitment
October 7 - Fr. Chris Kennedy, SDB
Aspects of a Directed Retreat
October 14 – Fr. Danny Torres, SDB
Individually Directed Retreat
Retreat Guides:
November 11 - Fr. Danny Torres, SDB
Group Spiritual Direction
December 9 – Fr Danny Torres, SDB
Dynamics of Discernment
Discernment Skills
Phase Two – January – February
January 13 (2:00-4:00pm) – Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB
Nature and Demands of Commitment: Obedience
February 10 (2:00-4:00pm) – Fr Greg Bicomong, Jr., SDB
Nature and Demands of Commitment: Poverty
Phase Three – Summer Program: April
March 9, Fri Nature and Demands of Commitment: Chastity – Fr. Pepe Reinoso, SDB
April 2, MonOrientation to Summer Program – Bro. Mon Callo, SDB
Group Spiritual Direction
April 3, TueEncounters: Life Commitment from Male Perspective – Bro. Mon Callo, SDB
April 4, Wed Rite of Profession/ Formula Profession – Bro. Mon Callo, SDB
April 5, ThuPreparation for 8-day Retreat – Bro. Mon Callo, SDB
April 6-7, Fri-SatReading of the Salesian Constitutions
April 8 am – April 14 amIndividually Directed Retreat
April 15 - 26Nature and Demands of Commitment: Community and Mission –
Preparation, Exposure – Immersion, Processing of Experiences
April 27, MonOn-going Formation: Personal Plan/ Project of Life – Bro. Mon Callo, SDB
April 28, SatGroup Spiritual Direction - Fr. Danny Torres, SDB
April 29, SunRecollection – Fr Pepe Reinoso, SDB
April 30, MonPreparations for Perpetual Profession
May 1Perpetual Profession
The Process/ Topics:
Topic: Vocation verification: Awareness of a call and the response
Readings from Scriptural characters both of the Old and New Testament and the life of Don Bosco.
Activities:Clarification of Motivations
Vocation Story
Topic:Prayer: Primacy of God in one's life: a means of deepening one's relationship with Jesus; Prayer as relational; Fostering a Contemplative Attitude
Activities:Examen of Consciousness
Journaling by Progoff
Introduction to Various Forms of Praying with one's personality type using the MBTI and Enneagram
Dynamics of Discernment: Personal and group discernment
Topic:Nature and Demands of a Commitment: The Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience; the Vows as observed by the Salesians, Issues and challenges today
Activities:The vows vis-a-vis one's personality
Protocol for Sexual Misconduct & Financial Policies
Readings
Sharing
Other activities proposed
Topic:Nature and Demands of a Commitment: Living in community; Salesian family spirit; Community at prayer and liturgy; Community and mission; the Provincial community
Activities:Fostering relationships
Male bonding
Sharing
Other activities proposed
Topic:A Religious Experience: Personal Encounter with Jesus the Good Shepherd
Activity:Two- Eight-Day directed retreat
Spiritual Direction
Topic:Nature and Demands of a Commitment: Call to mission; Vocation and mission; Sent to and by the community; Specific mission for the poor and abandoned boys; Future ministries and apostolate according to the signs of the times
Activity:Sharing
Other activities proposed
Topic:Integration of One's Formative Growth and Development
Activity:Sharing
Topic:Immediate Preparation for Perpetual Profession
Activity:Immediate preparation for Perpetual Profession: Formula of Profession, Rite of Profession, Submission of Application letter
Topic:Nature and Demands of a Commitment: The Personal Project of Life, a commitment to On-Going Formation as a Response to God's Call and sign of fidelity
Activity:Personal life plan
Note:Individual Spiritual Direction is a process a person undergoes continuously. Group Spiritual Direction will be held at timely occasions. Counseling and Therapy if needed will be on an individual basis.
Exposure-Immersion Program
April 15 Sun9:00am-5pmNature and Demands of Commitment: Community and Mission –
April 16 Mon5:00pmDeparture for KUYA
Street Exposure-Immersion
April 17 Tue2:00pmDeparture for Pugad
Exposure-Immersion: Pugad – Fr Dave
April 18 Wed8:00amDeparture for Ating Familia
Exposure-Immersion: Ating Familia – Fr Greg
2:00pmDeparture for DBTI Makati – Ampon Project
Exposure-Immersion: Ampon/MTD – Fr Paul/Bro Elmer
April 19 Thu8:00amDeparture for Tuloy
Exposure-Immersion: Tuloy– Fr Rocky/Beng
April 20 Fri9:00amProcessing of Exposure-Immersion Experiences I
April 21 Sat8:00am Departure for DB Tondo
Exposure-Immersion: Tondo – Fr Ferdie
April 22 Sun8:00amDeparture for Mayapa Parish
Exposure-Immersion: Mayapa Parish – Fr Roger
April 23 Mon9:00amDeparture for Provincial House
Exposure-Immersion: Social Communications – Fr Bong
2:00pmExposure-Immersion: Salesiana, Press – Fr Alex
6:00-10:00pmExposure-Immersion: Yuppeace – Lissa
April 24 Tue8:00amDeparture for CYM Office
CYM Office orientation
2:00pmDeparture for ODEA
ODEA Office orientation
April 25 Wed8:00amDeparture for Calauan Project
9:00-5:00pmCalauan
April 26 Thu9:00-4:00pmProcessing of Exposure-Immersion Experiences II
