Ingredients of Sa-Fa vocation animation 13

 

How to analyze, plan, perform and reap the fruits 

of Vocational Animation   

All those who work and participate in vocational promotion know that the activity consists of a series of processes with different stages, that have to be taken into account to achieve the desired objective.

First of all, we have to be aware that vocational promotion is not only a work for the Brothers, but for the whole Sa-Fa Family too. We are Christians and we must know that calling others to live the Gospel is the responsibility of all of us.  

                                                          

One of the most important aspects of the vocational animator is conviction. We must be convinced that we have a vocation and that we live our vocation with positive attitudes. The way we live our religious vocation or our spirituality as lay people will help us to attract other candidates.

It is fundamental to make an analysis of the social, cultural and ecclesial reality where the activity will be developed since there is a great plurality of social and cultural realities according to each country and sometimes even within the same country.

On the other hand, it is necessary to put creativity in the proposals, to know the places where people need help, to explore to the maximum towards other destinations, to look for study and constant formation, to persist in the adversities and to try to solve them.

The promotion of vocations, like any other activity, needs time to bear fruit. It is a process that needs investment of time, formation of people, implementation of activities, patience, constancy and hope.

The fruits will not depend exclusively on the animators; they are servants and intermediaries who have to do their part with commitment, determination and generosity to put themselves at the service of this work. 

Therefore, we must proceed step by step in all the processes of analysis, programming and realization in order to be able to see the fruits achieved.

1.- First we must ANALYZE the current scenario of vocational promotion and later, based on this analysis, we have to plan, carry out the activities and wait for the fruits.

All the actions to be performed should be done under the example of the first vocational animator who is Christ. Then we have to see everything under the light of the Holy Spirit, praying, listening and seeking the advice and support of those who have done these activities before.

After we have to observe all situations, circumstances and possibilities with attention, with a rather passive and contemplative attitude from the conviction that God helps us to discover possibilities of action.

The analysis should guide us and make us question the methodologies, the possibilities, the ways of adapting the different situations according to the uses and customs of each place or people in order to make the necessary corrections and modifications. 

2.- The second step is to PROGRAM a project with an evangelical flavor, elaborating a vocational action plan, articulating all the elements in a clear, precise, synthetic, attractive and meaningful way. A calendar should be organized with the instances and experiences of approaching the charism, together with the pastoral agents and defining the candidates for them.

The PROJECTS are made according to the candidates, the situations, the realities. It is better to carry out realistic projects rather than trying to achieve ideals that only generate frustrations. In all projects it is necessary to be perseverant, dedicated and attentive to new realities.

Something interesting is to generate curiosity in the candidates, to know that in this process the part of provocation is important, without curiosity there is no tracking, without the curiosity of "Master where do you live?" there is no answer: "Come and see".

3.- Then comes the moment of PERFORMING what is programmed. In this process, in each of its stages, we must look and be attentive to the challenges, threats, weaknesses, strengths, to ask God for clarity in taking decisions.

We have to accept the phases of the process and explore new ways of developing the activities that give life to the plan, with constancy, dedication and maturity, since the vocation must be matured through discernment and accompaniment.

The evaluation at each stage is important to see if we are on the right path, keeping an adequate record of the positive and negative aspects, exploring new ways to give life to the discerned response, so that the proposal matures and consolidates.

Besides we have to pray for the candidates, being in contact with them, following them, supporting them in their difficulties so that they can overcome the problems. We have to look at the situation and the conditions of the environment where the call take place. We also have to maintain or build a good communication with the candidates through all possible means, observing if the interest continues, if changes are manifested and it is also convenient to relate with the families and explain them what it means to be a Brother of the Holy Family.

4.- The FRUITS. In order to have mature and healthy fruits, it is always necessary to accompany intensely and constantly all the stages from sowing to flowering and fructification.

Recurring to the image of the good farmer, after analyzing and preparing the ground, sowing and caring for it, we must wait trusting in the action of God since it is Him the one who makes what has been planted, watered and cultivated bear fruit in a timely manner.

The important thing is to plant the seed and to know that some of them will take longer, others less in germinating and perhaps some will never germinate. Since the fruits are always imprecise, that is to say, one can have hope in the sowing but the expectations do not always coincide with what it is expected.

The harvesting of fruits is only possible at the end of a maturation process, that can last more or less time, and when the time comes to collect them, it is done with great joy and often with surprise because sometimes they are better than expected.

Besides the vocational fruits can be perceived in the climate of familiarity that is generated among the members when they meet, get to know each other, feel part of an extended family, and have the Holy Family as a model to follow in the bonds they generate and Brother Gabriel as a teacher of the Nazarene charism.

Finally, we can say that in the vocational animation no fixed recipe can be foreseen. It is necessary to reflect at each step to know the degree of success and failure that is produced. It is convenient to keep in mind, in order not to fall in illusions and disappointments, that the discovery and development of the vocation in the candidates is a process that takes time and that the choices and the human will take place in each decision. The success becomes a guide and the failure an experience to work better in the future.

So in Vocational Animation, whether in the promotion of Brothers, Family Ministry or Nazarene Fraternities, it is always necessary to follow the four stages in the work of animation, since it is not possible to improvise; everything must be subject to a flexible plan in order to reach the desired success.