The ongoing formation course for formators, which took place in Rome from September 2 to 17, was concluded with a mass presided over by the Superior General, Father James Lengarin on the day of remembrance of Blessed Leonella Sgorbati, martyr, September 17.
By Jaime C. Patias *
During the celebration, the Superior General invited the assembly to look at the example of the lives of the saints, from whom “we can always receive something”. This is because “our life is always a receiving from others, by imitating their example”. Sister Leonella, killed in Mogadishu in Somalia on 17 September 2006 and proclaimed Blessed in 2018, “is a martyr because she did not think only of herself, but always dedicated herself to teaching, training nurses, that is, giving her life as a missionary. At the end, she gave even more, her own life”, underlined Father Lengarin.
“Giving ourselves for others may confuse us but it profits us, it is never a loss. For us, Leonella is a sister who loved life, the mission, a sister who became a martyr. This is what Allamano wanted. We are one of those endeavors accomplished by the Founder, and he is pleased with this sister, he is pleased with the evangelization that we carry out, for giving ourselves to the end”, Father Lengarin highlighted in his homily.
Addressing the 13 formators, from Africa, America and Europe, Father Lengarin recalled: “Your mission is always to give yourself fully, in order to give life to others so that they grow and we diminish”. In formation today, “there are many challenges, but we can overcome them with our humility, our simplicity, our listening and accompaniment, even with our silence”.
The Superior General then recalled that “in martyrdom we continue the tradition of Jesus. It is a ever present reality because every day we renounce something of ourselves to give to others…”. All this for love. “A Christian is someone who loves Jesus and for whom everyone is a brother and sister, near and far. Therefore, to love is to love to the very end, a love that assimilates us to the martyrs. Then we become the fifth Gospel that is actualized in giving, in getting closer to people. Let us be enlighted by the Word of God”. In the formative communities, “you have the students, love them, and transmit to them the Word of God ”.
“So let us pray that like the martyrs, the Lord grants us the grace to become totally free, removing whatever make us attached to this world, to move ahead, to be more. Be holy in order to be missionaries. This is the testament that Allamano left us”.
After thanking the formators for accepting the task the Institute entrusted to them, the Superior General concluded with these words: “I wish you all the best in your service to accompany these boys. The Institute is always with you in everything you do.”
An overview of the course
The just ended course is the first response to the request, of the XIV General Chapter (2023) to the General Council, for “a global reflection on our formation” (XIV CG 42). The planning of the event was organized by the Formation Secretariat headed by Father Mathews Odhiambo Owuor, General Councilor, and his collaborators, Fathers Antonio Rovelli and Ernesto Viscardi, who coordinate the work of this office. A second course is planned for September 2028.
In addition to the topics presented by the various experts, the group sharing, prayer and celebrations, the General Council provided the formators with a global overview of the Institute, in particular its organization, the formation programs, the economy and mission. During this presentation were present the Superior General, Father James Lengarin, and the Councilor for Africa, Father Erasto Mgalama.
At the end of the course, a video was made by the Communication Secretariat where Father Mathews Odhiambo commentes on the topics presented in the course during the 15 days, gaving his evaluation of the event. See the video.
* Father Jaime C. Patias, IMC, Communications Secretariat.
