Master of Arts in Spirituality and Religious Formation

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Models of Community Life as Tools for Witnessing to Solidarity with The Poor: A Case Study of The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, Eritrean Province
(Tangaza University College, 2017) Kidane, Medhin D. C.
Since the beginning, God revealed Himself with His loving plan of salvation to humanity in the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. The life of the Holy Trinity is the perfect model of life in common for all humanity in general and in particular, for those who live in community as a spiritual family of God. Jesus and His apostles lived as a community, and this continued into the birth of the Church, after Pentecost in the community of the first Christians. The religious, who assume community life imitate the model of the community life of the first Christians, through observing their own charisms. The Company of the Daughters of Charity live community life for the sake of the service of Christ in the poor. This implies putting emphasis on the authentic community life to form a spiritual family in which God dwells and takes the lead as the Father of the community. This is an essential factor for witnessing to solidarity among the people they serve; for the Daughters of Charity, service of the poor is an expression of the love of God. This paper aims at rekindling and restoring awareness about the necessity of living true fraternal life in community, which makes visible the love of God to others; humanity, especially for those whom society rejects and marginalizes. The study examines and discerns in depth values lived by the sisters in order to re-appreciate and re-live them and identify the challenges of fraternal life in order to sensitize and motivate members of the community to overcome the challenges and work together in building up a desirable community life. The investigation uses the descriptive design and analysis. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, a mixed research design, involving qualitative and quantitative approaches is used. The study uses the Community Cohesion approach for analyzing the community life of the Daughters of Charity in the Province of Eritrea. The literature review presents in detail the understanding of the Church, the Company of the Daughters of Charity and other scholarly works, of the necessity of living authentic religious community life to witness to the love of God. The study uses the stratified and random sampling design for the selection of participants in the study. The sample includes sisters in authority and other members of communities in other types of services, including Seminary Sisters. Data is gathered through questionnaires and interview guides from the field. For data presentation, tables, pie charts, frequencies and percentages are used. For the data analysis of the qualitative findings, SPSS is used, and quantitative findings are arranged in the thematic form, and it is interpreted according to each theme in relation to the objective of the study. The findings of the data provide some insights into authentic community life in view of a boosted service of the poor. At the end, the research proposes some possible suggestions, which could build up the fraternal life of communities in view of the mission of charitable service to the needy.
Guidelines and Approaches for The Initial Formation of The Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of Christ Of the Ethiopian Delegation
(Tangaza University College, 2017) Gebrewold, Tochallo Lujina
Over the years, formation has been the main tradition used as pedagogy by formators to ensure that desirable values, based on the Catholic religious teachings, are imparted in formees. This promotes the general development and growth of the Church’s mission to all the world through the shaping of individual candidates, Christian dogma and concepts. Little emphasis has been placed on the importance of quality formation guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to research on the guidelines to ensuring quality initial formation in the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of Christ in the Ethiopian delegation. The research examines the existing approaches to formation, importance of guidelines for quality formation and proposes some ways of implementing guidelines for the quality formation of the Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of Christ in the Ethiopian delegation. The study uses purposive sampling design, and the analysis of the research embraces both quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain some conclusions from the field findings. In addition, it adopts the social identity theory to analyze the initial formation process of candidates. The literature from other scholars presents an in-depth understanding of the religious, it is also used to support or differ with the field findings. Respondents of the study include religious candidates, formators, the regional superior, community superiors and the community members of the Ethiopian delegation. Data from respondents was collected through questionnaires and interview guide research tools. The findings of the study will be used to provide some insights, regarding quality religious formation. Towards the end, suggests some possible approaches which could improve the initial formation of candidates to consecrated life.
The Influence of Integral Psycho - Spiritual Formation On Vocation Discernment with Reference To the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) In South Africa
(Tangaza University College, 2017-05) Alois Mangwele, John
This dissertation looked at the Influence of the integral psycho-spiritual formation on vocation discernment with reference to the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) in South Africa. The study was prompted by an observation of the researcher that the current Pallottine formative approach needed a review in order to facilitate genuine vocation discernment of candidates. Over the past few years, the problem was manifested through the behavior of some candidates who after being asked to discontinue with their formation show lack of understanding that consecrated life is an unmerited gift from God. Again, through candidates who showed inconsistency in discernment about their vocation to consecrated life. The work reviewed literature of other writers in connection with formation and vocation discernment. The study adopted a mixed method of research design, which was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The sample size of the study included the 26 candidates in the Pallottine formation house in South Africa, 3 priests who are serving as formators, the 6 priests who have served as formators in the past years, and 5 other Pallottine priests and brothers. The research instruments used, were questionnaires with close-ended questions to obtain quantitative data, and openended questions to obtain qualitative data. The findings of the study showed that the human – Psychological dimension of candidates was less attended to, as compared to the Spiritual dimension in the formation of candidates. This created a formative environment that was less favorable for vocation discernment. Although the respondents indicated that candidates were able to discern their vocation, it was however revealed that sometimes the decisions that they made were inconsistent with their call to consecrated life. The study also established that formators needed to acquire more formative skills, since lack of skilled formators contributes to creating an unfavorable atmosphere for vocation discernment. In conclusion, the research established that programmes that enhance humanpsychological growth of candidates be re-introduced in the formation system and further, formation of formators needed to be considered as an area of urgency.
The Influence of Integral Psycho - Spiritual Formation On Vocation Discernment with Reference To the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) In South Africa
(Tangaza University College, 2017-05) Mangwele, John Alois
This dissertation looked at the Influence of the integral psycho-spiritual formation on vocation discernment with reference to the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) in South Africa. The study was prompted by an observation of the researcher that the current Pallottine formative approach needed a review in order to facilitate genuine vocation discernment of candidates. Over the past few years, the problem was manifested through the behavior of some candidates who after being asked to discontinue with their formation show lack of understanding that consecrated life is an unmerited gift from God. Again, through candidates who showed inconsistency in discernment about their vocation to consecrated life. The work reviewed literature of other writers in connection with formation and vocation discernment. The study adopted a mixed method of research design, which was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The sample size of the study included the 26 candidates in the Pallottine formation house in South Africa, 3 priests who are serving as formators, the 6 priests who have served as formators in the past years, and 5 other Pallottine priests and brothers. The research instruments used, were questionnaires with close-ended questions to obtain quantitative data, and openended questions to obtain qualitative data. The findings of the study showed that the human – Psychological dimension of candidates was less attended to, as compared to the Spiritual dimension in the formation of candidates. This created a formative environment that was less favorable for vocation discernment. Although the respondents indicated that candidates were able to discern their vocation, it was however revealed that sometimes the decisions that they made were inconsistent with their call to consecrated life. The study also established that formators needed to acquire more formative skills, since lack of skilled formators contributes to creating an unfavorable atmosphere for vocation discernment. In conclusion, the research established that programmes that enhance humanpsychological growth of candidates be re-introduced in the formation system and further, formation of formators needed to be considered as an area of urgency.
A Participative Formation for Authentic Christian Discipleship at Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute, Nairobi County, Kenya
(Tangaza University College, 2019) Solas, Elsa
This study examined a participative formation for the authentic discipleship of the novices in the Inter-Novitiate Formation Programme of Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute of Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of the research included the following: To examine how a participative approach to formation could facilitate growth in listening to God’s word and putting it into practice; to explore how a participative approach could orient novices towards fraternal charity; to determine how a participative approach could enhance the spirit of detachment, self-sacrifice and endurance in long suffering. It further tried to discover other strategies for enhancing a participative approach to formation. The study was guided by Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development (1995) and adopted a convergent parallel mixed method research design using questionnaires to gather data. The target population (N) was 236, which included novices, formators and formation teams of various congregations at Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute, Nairobi County, Kenya. The sample size (n) was 146, which was 62% of the target population. The quantitative data from the questionnaires was coded, tabulated and presented according to frequencies and percentages. The qualitative data was analyzed and thematized according to the research objectives and was presented in narrative form. The findings of the study revealed that a participative formation brings about a deeper transformation in novices, resulting into them becoming authentic disciples of Jesus Christ, seen in their ability to listen to God’s word, live in fraternal charity, spirit of detachment, self–sacrifice and endurance in long suffering. The results showed that the witness of formators and the formation team are of primary importance and they have to be persons who are able to transmit the joy and beauty of the following of Christ by their own examples. This points to the significance of the good choice of formators and the formation team to be placed in the novitiate by major superiors. The accompaniment of formators is an essential element in formation. Formators have to sharpen their accompaniment skills and employ effective methods and established models. The study highlighted the need for a formative environment which encourages freedom, responsibility and participation of novices to foster their growth in authentic Christian discipleship. Provisions for forums, sessions and other community structures which promote active involvement of novices in the life of the community are highly encouraged. It is also important for superiors to consider putting in place a formation team in the novitiate, having seen the benefits of a participative formation towards effecting authentic Christian discipleship.
Formation of Youth as A Basis for Genuine Consecrated Vocations in The Catholic Diocese of Kisii, Kenya
(Tangaza University College, 2019-06) Mititi, Evans Nyabwari
This study explored youth formation as a basis for genuine consecrated vocations in the Catholic Diocese of Kisii in Kenya. It was anchored on Plato‘s theory of education which reckons education as the best means to attain an ideal state, just as formation of youths is the basis for genuine consecrated vocations in the Catholic Diocese of Kisii. The objectives of the study were: To explore youth formation which could contribute to genuine consecrated vocations, to find out the relationship between formation of youths and genuine consecrated vocations, to examine challenges faced in forming youths and propose some ways of promoting youth formation for genuine consecrated vocations in the Catholic Diocese of Kisii. This study used convergent parallel research design. This design combines both quantitative and qualitative methods to answer a research question. The researcher administered questionnaires with both open-ended and close-ended items and interview guides to the sampled population, aiming at getting their attitudes and opinions on the study at hand, qualitatively and quantitatively. The target population for this research included youths, parents, a youth coordinator, youth advisors, seminarians, novices, religious men and women and priests. The sample size of the study was 354 respondents but the actual number of respondents was 336. This number accounted for 94.9%. To verify the validity of the instruments, a pilot test was carried out and the Cronbach‘s alpha was 0.709. The data for the study was gathered through the questionnaires and interview guides from the field and was presented in tables, pie-charts, frequencies and percentages. The quantitative data was coded and entered into the computer for computation of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The SPSS software, version 22 was used for the analysis. Qualitative findings were arranged according to themes and interpreted in relation to the objectives of the study and were reported in a narrative form. The study found out that 58 % of the respondents disagreed that the youths are well formed to face any life challenge, 81.6% approved that well-formed youths make good consecrated persons, 57.2% agreed that forming young people is a difficult task and 78.1% favored the assertion that proper youth formation is attainable. Both qualitative and quantitative findings were triangulated and gave some insights on the formation of youths as the basis for genuine consecrated vocations in the catholic Diocese of Kisii.
The Importance of Holistic Formation in The Life of The Clergy of The Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, Kenya
(Tangaza University College, 2019-08) Wakwaubi, Ernest Wafula
This is a research work which has been undertaken primarily to get a feedback on how holistic formation affects the life of the clergy of Kakamega diocese. The researcher responds to the call of the Church to its ministers to the process of renewal. There are many challenges facing ordained ministers, which may pose a problem to the main mission of the Church if not tackled. The assessment is mainly based on the formation of the clergy, which has to start with initial formation during their seminary training and continue throughout their life, after ordination. This formation has to be holistic, focusing on four dimensions: Human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. There is presence of abundant literature on the formation of Catholic priests; the study used a systematic approach to examine the importance of holistic formation in the life of the clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega. The study was specific in the use of Kakamega Diocese since it would provide actual outcome based on the research objectives. The research aimed at addressing this gap. The investigation used convergent research design. The literature review presents in detail the general understanding of Holistic Formation, the Church’s teaching on the formation of its priests, nature and identity of a priest, ongoing formation of the priests and some of the challenges faced by priests in their life and ministry. The study used stratified and random sampling design to select the participants. The sample included the clergy, religious men and women, seminarians and parish council members in Kakamega Diocese. Data was gathered using 196 questionnaires and 3 interview guides which were issued to the specific clergy who had experience in formation. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and the qualitative data were arranged in thematic form and they were interpreted in relation to the objectives of the study. The findings were presented in tables, pie charts, frequencies and percentages. The findings of the data provided insights concerning the importance of Holistic Formation in the life of the clergy of Kakamega. Formation was adequately carried out and the sources of challenges faced by the clergy were obtained. Ways of minimizing these challenges could be done through a kind of formation which is suitable and rooted in the signs of the time. One of the major key finding was that on-going formation is a key aspect for the clergy. The study proposes that further research should be done on the importance of specialists in the formation of the clergy.
Family Impact On Vocation Discernment Among De La Salle Brothers In Lwanga District, Kenya.
(Tangaza University College, 2020) Olabanjo, Wole Patrick
This study explored family impact on vocation discernment among De La Salle Brothers in Lwanga District, Kenya. Though family impact on vocation discernment can be both positive and negative, the researcher dwelt more in exploring the negative impact. The objectives of the study include exploring the impact of parents on the vocation discernment of aspirants to the Religious Life among the De La Salle Brothers; to study the impact of pressure for financial family support on temporary professed Brothers. The study was carried out among 90 targeted population and 90 sampling population, in Lwanga District of Africa, an Anglophone Province of the De La Salle Brothers Congregation in the Catholic Church. The Province comprises of six countries: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, with the headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The study has been able to find out the impact of family pressure on professed Brothers and young men aspiring to join the congregation. This impact could be negative or positive. When the family plays its role of good family upbringing, family prayers and bible reading, family devotion, unity and love in the family, parents’ faithfulness to each other, and participation in religious activities in the parish, there is positive impact on the child. All these prepare fertile ground for the child later in life to choose Religious Life of the Brothers. However, when the family fails in its role of proper upbringing, it has negative impact on the child. The research used a mixed method design comprised both qualitative and quantitative methods. The data was collected by the use of questionnaires and interview guide. The quantitative data was analyzed and presented in percentages and numbers while the qualitative data was analyzed according to the emerging themes in line with the research objectives. The study suggested some intervention strategies for addressing family impact on vocation to religious life among the Brothers
Spiritual Direction as A Tool of Nurturing and Discerning Vocations to Priesthood in The Catholic Diocese of Malindi, Kenya
(Tangaza University College, 2020-02) Kamau, Karanja Peter
Many young men and women are often confused when it comes to choosing their vocations and careers. This study explored the use of spiritual direction as a tool of discerning and nurturing vocations to priesthood within the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to investigate how spiritual direction is a means of discerning and nurturing vocations to priesthood; exploring the meaning of spiritual direction and discernment; identifying challenges in vocational discernment in the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, and to suggest appropriate strategies for addressing issues and challenges related to discernment and nurturing vocations to priesthood. The study was anchored and guided by Rulla’s theory of psycho-social dynamics of Christian vocation.The research adopted a mixed method research design, which was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The target population was: 10 priests from across the diocese, 10 religious nuns from across the parishes, 10 parents, 12 seminarians, the vocation team (5), 20 Catholic male students (form IV) from different secondary schools in the diocese, and 40 Catholic male youth ranging between 18-25years from various parishes. The sample size was 107. The study used stratified sampling procedure to get the required data for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview guide. The data collected were coded and analysed using Microsoft Excel Programme with tables, charts, and figures generated in Microsoft Word Programme. Some of the elements measured took into consideration the parishes of the respondents, age, gender, and academic levels. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics which included frequencies, percentages, and deviation means. The qualitative data was analyzed using themes based on the research objectives and presented in form of narratives using figures and tables. The study found that spiritual direction plays a crucial role in facilitating discernment, nurturing, fostering growth and guiding candidates to embrace the vocation to priesthood as confirmed by the majority of the respondents. However, the study noted that spiritual direction is not utilized fully in the discernment and nurturing of vocations to priesthood in the CDM. It was noted in the research that spiritual direction is not widely practised among the youth. The study concludes that spiritual direction should be popularised among the youth and that there should be good collaboration between the Pastoral agents and parents in helping the youth discern and nurture their vocations. The study recommended the necessity of adequate training of the vocation team in the Diocese on vocational discernment and accompaniment and enhancing spiritual direction skills in both the directors and directees.
Factors Influencing Vocation to Brotherhood In Holy Cross Congregation District of East Africa
(Tangaza University College, 2021-01) Rogers, Kakeeto
The general objective of the study is to assess the factors influencing the rate of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. The objectives that guided the study are; to explore how social status influence vocation to be a brother; to examine how the factor of being a clerical congregation may be influencing vocation to a brother;to determine how the need for professional career satisfaction influences vocation to be a brother, to investigate how different motivations influences vocation to be a brother and to identify possible ways of responding to challenges of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. The study anchored on the Maslow hierarchy of needs theory and the Model of the Congregation of Holy Cross Charism.The study used convergent parallel approach to the mixed methods research design. The target population in this study is107 and used Total Population Sampling to study the 107 respondents. The study usedinterview guide and selfadministered questionnaire for data collection. The quantitative data will be coded and analyzed systematically and presented using figure, percentages and chats. The qualitative data was analyzed according to the emerging themes and the results of both the quantitative and qualitative findings were compared to draw out their significance for the study. The study established that social status, lack of awareness and perception that clerical vocation is more prestigious and glamorous than that of brotherhood are some of the factors affecting reduced vocations in brotherhood. The study recommends the need for a rigorous promotion of brotherhood vocations, training of brothers as professionals, uplift the status of brothers and put in place proper discernment of vocations to reduce the high rate of brothers’ turnover.
Factors Influencing Vocation To Brotherhood In Holy Cross Congregation District Of East Africa
(Tangaza University College, 2021-01) Kakeeto, Rogers
The general objective of the study is to assess the factors influencing the rate of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. The objectives that guided the study are; to explore how social status influence vocation to be a brother; to examine how the factor of being a clerical congregation may be influencing vocation to a brother;to determine how the need for professional career satisfaction influences vocation to be a brother, to investigate how different motivations influences vocation to be a brother and to identify possible ways of responding to challenges of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. The study anchored on the Maslow hierarchy of needs theory and the Model of the Congregation of Holy Cross Charism.The study used convergent parallel approach to the mixed methods research design. The target population in this study is107 and used Total Population Sampling to study the 107 respondents. The study usedinterview guide and selfadministered questionnaire for data collection. The quantitative data will be coded and analyzed systematically and presented using figure, percentages and chats. The qualitative data was analyzed according to the emerging themes and the results of both the quantitative and qualitative findings were compared to draw out their significance for the study. The study established that social status, lack of awareness and perception that clerical vocation is more prestigious and glamorous than that of brotherhood are some of the factors affecting reduced vocations in brotherhood. The study recommends the need for a rigorous promotion of brotherhood vocations, training of brothers as professionals, uplift the status of brothers and put in place proper discernment of vocations to reduce the high rate of brothers’ turnover.

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