Institute of Spirituality and Religious Formation

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    Factors Influencing Vocation to Brotherhood in Holy Cross Congregation District of East Africa
    (International Journal of Culture and Religious Studies, 2021-01) Kakeeto, Rogers; Omollo, Fredrick; Ikpe, Remigius
    Purpose: 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. Methodology: 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 used interview guide and self-administered 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. Findings: 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. Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: 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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    Young People and Discernment of Vocations According to the Teachings of Saint John Paul II
    (The Person and the Challenges: The Journal of Theology, Education, Canon Law and Social Studies, 2020) Kamau, Karanja Peter
    Many young men and women are often confused when it comes to choosing their vocations and careers. According to Pope John Paul II in PastoresDaboVobis, “Each Christian vocation comes from God and is God’s gift. However, it is never bestowed outside of or independently of the Church. Instead it always comes about in the Church and through the Church a luminous and living reflection of the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.” What churches are doing with youth is commendable. Pope John Paul II earned the confidence of young people because he took them seriously. They sensed that he understood their concerns. He challenged them to give their lives to Christ. He appealed to their high ideals, inviting them to take a lead in the New Evangelization. Amidst the contemporary challenges facing young people, it would be appropriate to find ways of helping youth discern God’s call in their daily struggles. This implies learning to discern God’s voice hidden in the chaos of other worldly voices. The worldly allurements seem to have a great impact amongst youth. They therefore require some guidance from their parents and spiritual leaders in order for them to make the right decisions. This article looks at how Pope John Paul II treated the issue of vocational discernment among young people.
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    The Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as A Means of Living Affective Love in Community Among Religious Women Living Along Lang’ata South Road in Nairobi, Kenya
    (African Journal of Consecrated Life (A Publication of the Conference of Major Superiors of Nigeria), 2020) Munene, Caroline Wanjiku; Chisamule, Jude Chisanga; Ikpe, Remigius Okonkwo
    This study examined ways in which the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity enhances living of affective love in communities among religious women. The objectives of the study were: to examine the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a means of promoting mutual trust and openness in living affective love in the community; to evaluate the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a way of enhancing mutual respect and acceptance; to assess how the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity could reinforce companionship and sharing; to determine how the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity could facilitate teamwork and effective communication; and to establish intervention strategies for facing the challenges of the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a means of living affective love in the community. The study was guided by the Stages in the Development of the Community Model by Hammett and Sofield (1981). The research used a convergent parallel mixed method design, which involved the use of questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data from the questionnaires was coded, tabulated and presented in frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was summarized according to the emerging themes and presented in narrative form and precise quotes. The findings of the study revealed that faithfulness to the values of the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity enhances mutual trust and openness; mutual respect and acceptance; companionship, sharing, teamwork and effective communication among the sisters. However, the results of the study also showed some inconsistencies in the understanding of the values of the vow and its practical living in communities. The study recommends that formators must engage in continual update of the values of the vow of Chastity as well as incorporating current theological, psychological and sociological advancements for more effective life of chastity. The study also recommends that major superiors and formators must intensify formation for Chastity in both initial and on-going formation. Particularly, they must pay attention to the uniqueness of each individual, impart practical ways of living affective love in community as well as provide mentorship for consecrated persons in the living of affective love.