CCA: Meeting of Formators

QUITO, Ecuador - The formators of the CCA met from August 16-31, 2009. The organizing commission had drawn up this general mission statement: To acquire common directions and criteria on the initial formation for the CCA as a contribution to the Ratio Formationis and to the process of interprovincial collaboration in formation. With the assistance of some specialists on the matter, along with the mutual enrichment of the dialogue and the work in the groups, the Brothers set out to accomplish their mission. During the first week, they strove to delineate the affective profile of a formator from the experience of his vocation and for the best accompaniment or support of those who are in formation. During the second week, they worked on the elaboration of the criteria of welcome, of accompaniment/support, and of the discernment for the candidates in the process of the vocational choice.

There were 29 friars present at the gathering from the different Circumscriptions of the CCA: Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Río de la Plata and Venezuela. There was also a friar from the Viceprovince of Mexico-Texas. The following friars participated in diverse roles: Br. Piero Véliz from the General Secretariat of Formation; Br. Adalberto Jiménez, Viceprovincial of Ecuador and President of the CCA; Br. Germán Arteaga, the Secretary of Formation for the CCA; Br. Jesús García, the General Coordinator of the Meeting and Br. Juan Jima, responsible for the logistics. The assembly was an important event for the Conference, because it considered one of the vital topics of the Order, namely, formation. More information about the meeting may be found on the website of the Viceprovince of Ecuador: www.capuchinosecuador.org