The Basic Principles of Lasallian Formation

CEFL September 2001

Lasallian Formation is a process which helps people to internalise the elements of Lasallian spirituality. It involves accompanying people in a process of "discovery". It should lead to the formation of spiritually mature Christians who live the gospel. Learning how to pray is an important part of the process.

Discovering oneself Lasallian Formation is concerned with individual itineraries. It aims at personal conversion and growth by helping individuals to read the story of their own spiritual journey in the light of the story of SJBDLS. It invites people to continue their journey in the context of a shared itinerary in communion with others.

Discovering the poor Lasallian Formation is about discovering "mission". It is always related to the Lasallian mission of "the educational service of the poor". This is not just a matter of raising people's awareness of the needs of the young. It is also a matter of showing clearly how those needs were perceived and answered by SJBDLS as part of his response to the call of the gospel. Increased knowledge of the Founder should lead people to identify more with his charism.

Discovering communion as a way of life Lasallian Formation in its fullest sense is about communion. Individuals need to read their personal stories in communion with others who are on the same journey. Lasallian Formation should facilitate the formation of groups of people committed to living and working in association with others for the educational service of the poor. At this level, Lasallian Formation is the same for Brothers and for Lay Lasallians.

 Lasallian Formation provides people with: information about SJBDLS, especially his "itinerary"; with opportunities for reflecting on and discerning one's own itinerary in conjunction with others; with experiences of "association"; with help in analysing one's experiences; with assistance in learning to pray. Besides having a good knowledge of SJBDLS and of the educational problem areas of today, leaders of Lasallian Formation need to be able to relate well to other people.

 Lasallian Formation is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It leads people to discover the Lasallian ideal of educational mission by experiencing their professional activity as a lived ministry. This discovery takes place in the context of a process which starts with commitment and finishes in communion and association, viewed as an interior attitude rather than a structure.

 Lasallian Formation involves accompanying people on their journey, enabling them to express their understanding of "where they are" and inviting them to go further. It also requires the accompanier to be ready to take a risk and be willing to "go with them". This is best done through personal interviews, in which the formator is also willing to be formed. The process continues outside the formal sessions of a programme.

 Lasallian Formation operates at three different levels: basic introduction programmes, programmes of further reflection for committed individuals, advanced programmes for those committed to being "in association". A given programme may involve a single category or several different categories of Lasallian people (colleagues, partners, associates, Brothers, Lay people). It is important to identify the target groups for programmes. To some extent the goal is to help people move from one level to another, but we must respect the categories in which people feel they belong and avoid giving a hierarchical order to the categories.

 Lasallian Formation means accompanying people in the real world. Programmes must be aware of the realities in which we live, and based on an analysis of present day society. We need to produce tools for Lasallian Formation written in the language of today. Materials and sessions of Lasallian Formation must be organised, prepared and presented by teams which include Brothers and Lay Lasallians.

 In schools, Lasallian Formation is especially important for heads and senior staff. Management style is crucial in determining whether a school or other establishment is a genuine Lasallian community which has a formative influence on those who are part of it.