African Formation Gathering in Ireland

Formation Programme for Temporary Professed Sisters

Every August, our Temporary Professed Sisters accompanied by their formators gather together for the whole month. This year, the venue was in IRELAND. It is a time for them to re-connect and share life experiences with each other as well as receive input on various topics. From 1 – 30 August 2019, nine Temporary Professed and three formators gathered in our Franciscan Convent in Ballinasloe, Ireland.  It was truly a blessing for our African sisters from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia to be with each other and also to be with our Irish sisters. The Formandees and Formators discussed some very relevant topics such as:

1. Laudato Si Encyclical (Care for Mother Earth by Pope Francis)
2. Trauma and how to identify and handle it
3. Religious vows and sexuality

The Formation Programme included a retreat at Esker, visits to different part of Ireland, to holy places like Cloinmacnoise and Knock Shrine. Our African sisters enjoyed being with our sisters in Ireland. Many of our Irish sisters have been missioned to Africa hence the special bond! The month flew by fast. Our sisters expressed their joy to be an FMDM sister and feels more equipped to be better women religious – living the Gospel joyfully.