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What is Formation?

The word “formation” can sound scary. It did to me the first time I heard it – like someone was going to “remold” me into someone else. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Let’s start with a story to help get a sense of what formation is all about. Once there was a Sufi Master known for his wisdom. One day a young man showed up at the Master’s house to ask if he would accept the young man as a student, for the student wanted to become wise like the master. The Sufi Master invited him into his home and asked if he would like a cup of tea. The young man graciously accepted. When the Master came back with the tea pot and cups, he set them down and began to pour the young man’s tea. The cup quickly filled up, but the Master kept pouring. The tea ran over the rim of the cup onto the table and then the floor. Finally, unable to withhold comment any longer, the young man said, “Master, can’t you see, the tea cup is already full, you can stop pouring.” The Master said, “precisely.” “The tea cup is like you. I cannot teach you unless you are first willing to empty yourself and allow the new to fill you up.”

Often we come to the seminary with preconceived ideas about the world, education, ministry, prayer, and even who we are and how we see ourselves as future professional ministers of the Word to God’s people. We can quickly become disillusioned when we find out things may not be as we expected. Formation is a journey, a long process where we learn how to quiet ourselves internally and create a focused, disciplined inner space where the Lord can direct our lives to be of service to His Kingdom. Like the young man visiting his Sufi Master, we need first to create a space within ourselves sufficient to learn and grow.

In the seminary, you have three “formators.” The first and primary formator is the Lord Himself. The second is yourself as you integrate what you learn and experience. Third, it is your teachers and formators. There are many areas in which you will grow --intellectually, personally, spiritually, and in knowledge of cultures and ministry. As you come to learn about yourself and the mission of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), you will also learn how to live in the challenges and joys of our religious community life. In particular, you will learn how the SVD lives its mission and vows of consecrated celibacy, evangelical poverty, and apostolic obedience. Formation is a journey. It is a time where you will come to know yourself more deeply as well the spirit and ministries of the Society of the Divine Word throughout the world.

Another unique challenge in SVD formation is learning to live within the context of cultures different from the one within which you grew up. I not only enjoy the customs and celebrations of my own culture but learned to enter into the many experiences and celebrations of other cultures. That has been a wonderful and enriching part of my life, but only because I was willing to empty myself and be open to new things. .

As you continue to discern your vocation and find out more about becoming a Divine Word Missionary Brother or priest, please continue reading other sections of this website. You’ll learn more about the different goals and experiences of each level of formation you might experience as a Divine Word Missionary candidate. See if these educational and formation experiences and challenges are right for you.

The following poem I share with you was written by St. Irenaeus. It beautifully captures the spirit of “what is formation.” The image is one of God as the potter who molds us, the clay. The poem gathers its inspiration from Jeremiah 18: 1 - 6 and Isaiah 64: 7. Take some time and look these passages up. In the meantime, prayerfully enjoy “Let The Clay be Moist.”

It is not thou that shapest God
It is God that shapest thee.
If then, thou art the work of God,
Await the hand of the Artist who does
All things in due season.
Offer Him thy heart,
Soft and tractable and keep the form
In which the artist has fashioned thee.
Let the clay be moist
Lest thou grow hard
And lose the imprint of His fingers.