Formators Discern New Pathway for Mission 2033 at Goa

Goa, Nov 25, 2025: Offering a grace-filled journey of prayer, reflection, and renewal, the five-day refresher programme for early-stage (Juniorate) formators, organised by the CCBI VSCR Commission, was held at Shanti Sadan, Benaulim, from November 19–24. The gathering brought together 29 formators who arrived with openness and returned strengthened in the Holy Spirit. Blending rich liturgy, deep sharing, and practical learning, each day offered experiences that touched both mind and heart.

Providing formators with fresh perspectives on current formation challenges, sessions on self-awareness, emotional maturity, leadership, and mentoring set the tone for deeper reflection. The programme also included time for them to reflect on their own vocation and early formation experiences, allowing them to revisit their initial inspirations. Inputs on digital culture, cyber safety, child protection, and Gen Z offered additional clarity on the environment in which young candidates live today. Fr. Joye James SJ, Fr. Charles Leon (Executive Secretary of VSCR), and Fr. Cyril Victor (Director of the CCBI Media Apostolate) served as resource persons.

Coordinated by Fr. Duming Gonsalves, a pilgrimage to Old Goa, added spiritual depth and strengthened their sense of shared mission. During the gathering, the formators prayerfully discerned a new pathway for formation—one that invited all to walk together into God’s future. This pathway called each formator to live with the heart of Christ: patient, kind, present, and deeply rooted in prayer. It emphasised joy, simplicity, and inner freedom, where the formator became a healing presence for young people who were often wounded by loneliness and digital overload.

Community life emerged as a key pillar of this new pathway, underscoring that a house became truly formative only when it was filled with joy, respect, and a genuine sense of belonging. The programme stressed the need for communities where everyone felt known and valued, where formators worked as one team, and where young candidates felt safe to grow.

The pathway further detailed specific goals for Mission 2033, stating that formees were to be guided toward inner freedom, intellectual clarity, digital responsibility, and a deep friendship with Christ. It noted that the objective was to prepare missionary disciples who could read the signs of the times and respond with courage, creativity, and compassion. The action plan also called on formators to foster maturity, empathy, resilience, and a generous spirit in every candidate.

By Catholic Connect Reporter