From February 7 to 10, the rectors of the vocational centers (VC) of the Legion of Christ gathered at the vocational center in Mexico City for a training and follow-up session on the implementation of “Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Listens,” the document that defines the identity of the vocational centers and their stages of formation.
They also received a talk given by one of the psychologists from Reparare, on intergenerational dialogue. The rectors shared their training plans and the regulations of each vocational center.
“We have been able to verify how the document ‘Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Listens’ has brought much unity to the formative processes within our vocational centers,” comments Fr. Gerardo Flores, LC, member of the General Council of the Legion of Christ and delegate of the general director for the vocational centers.
Participating in this training session in person, besides Fr. Gerardo Flores, LC, were Fr. Thomas Murphy, LC from the VC of Indiana (USA), Fr. Luis Rebollo, LC from the VC of Monterrey (Mexico), Fr. Jorge Reyes, LC from the VC of León, Gto. (Mexico), Fr. Joel Herrera, LC from the VC of Mexico City, Fr. Manuel Castañeda, LC from the VC of Río Negro (Colombia), and Fr. Daniel Egervári, LC from the VC of Bad Münstereifel. Online connections included Fathers Sergio Espinoza, LC and Alejandro Fuentes, LC, incoming and outgoing rectors of the VC of Curitiba (Brazil), Fr. Carlos Blandón, LC from the VC of Mérida (Venezuela), and Fr. Edgar Pulido, LC from the VC of Moncada (Spain).
The vocational center rectors also had a working session with the novice instructors from Monterrey, who presented the novitiate training plan and provided feedback to the fathers.
The meeting also included Fr. Alberto Simán, LC, territorial director for Mexico and Central America, who shared his vision of the vocational center and how he is seeking to promote it, emphasizing the vocational promotion carried out through the vocational centers.
On the last day of the training session, Fr. John Connor, LC, connected from Rome to share his vision of the vocational centers and his desire to support and promote them. He thanked the fathers for their work and listened to the conclusions each rector had reached.
Some experiences from the Day
“The opportunity to share experiences with rectors from other training centers in different countries and cultures was a very enriching experience. It helped me broaden my horizons and learn from the experiences of other rectors,” comments Fr. Carlos Blandón, LC, rector of the vocational center of Mérida, Venezuela.
“As rector, I face the challenges specific to my vocational center, and seeing the solutions others have implemented in their respective centers makes me realize there are different challenges, problems, and projects. I can consider what they are implementing to work shoulder to shoulder in this mission of forming adolescents,” adds Fr. Carlos.
Meanwhile, Fr. Jorge Reyes, LC, commented: “This training session was days of much reflection and exchange, which is always very positive. I would highlight a few aspects. First, I believe it is clear to all of us now the identity of the vocational center. Second, we have found unity within diversity, which is very valuable. Each place, each circumstance, each culture often determines the dynamics of each training center. We may not have the same practices, but we share the same essence. The fundamental principles of formation are the same at this moment, and that gives us much peace.”
“As a third point, I would highlight that we all perceive an urgent need to continue training ourselves in the area of spiritual direction and accompaniment with young people to help them make good discernment because that is the foundation. The young person is the one who makes the discernment, with God at the center, and we, as trainers, are only guides, instruments that serve to accompany this process. We need to continue training ourselves in this aspect. Along with spiritual direction and accompaniment, the proper use of psychology is also important. We are all aware of the value and tools that psychology provides. However, we also analyze the danger of ‘psychologizing’ the formation of minor seminarians. The right place for psychology is to provide those tools for the person, but not as a determinant of discernment. It’s about finding a balance where we must continue training ourselves and guiding ourselves with professionals,” says Fr. Jorge.
“Regarding young people, we all agreed that part of this process and discernment does not happen without encountering God. One of our great challenges is to ensure that our young people find God, truly know Him, and from there, undertake a good process with God at the center of their discernment,” concludes Fr. Jorge. “Active communication, good communication that must exist with all the various training stages: rectors with other rectors of the vocational centers and also novice instructors with rectors of the vocational centers. If there is good communication, there is good accompaniment with the young people. If there is good dialogue, there are better fruits for our young people.”
