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FORMATIONS

The primary objective of the Salesian formative process is to prepare our candidates for the “total consecration of themselves to God” in following Christ to accomplish the Salesian mission. The aim of formation is to help recognize, assimilate and develop values and attitudes that make him suitable for Salesian life. Formation is an ongoing and dynamic process. The areas and elements of formation are not understood in a static way, as though they were conditions to be fulfilled or goals to be achieve once and for all.
Salesian Formation in the Province of Dimapur
At the present Dimapur province has four houses of formation apart from two apostolic schools which foster vocations to Salesian life.
 
 
1. The Aspirantate
 
Rua Home located in Jorhat, Assam is the aspirantate of Dimapur province. Previously this house of formation served as the aspirantate and pre-novitiate. Until 2007 the province did not have a separate pre-novitiate house. But in keeping with the new Ratio the province have begun a separate pre-novitiate. The aspirants spent two to three years in the aspirantate. The aspirants who wish to become Salesians come to this house after matriculation. Those who complete their matriculation in vernacular medium spent a year learning English and so they spent a total of three years at Rua Home. They are offered a course which includes Spoken English, BBC English Course, Acting, Reading skills, training in outdoor games (Basket Ball, Volley Ball, Foot Ball) and Catechism. The aspirants who complete their matriculation in English medium spent two year at Rua Home. During the period of their stay at Rua Home they complete their plus two studies. The classes are organised separately for the aspirants and they write examination through another institution. In 2007 there are 64 boys in all. 14 boys are undergoing the preparatory course. The boys come from various communities and states of the country providing a salutary influence in the community. There are nine confreres in the community six are directly and full time engaged in the formation.
Formation Activities
A number of formation activities are organised to foster the vocation of the aspirants and give them an all round formation. Some of the activities are listed here.
1.               Group masses, group prayers,
2.               Meditation, Personal prayer,
3.               Spiritual Direction, Confession
4.               Regular Monthly recollections,
5.               Annual retreats
6.               Salesiana, Catechism, Church History and Bible classes
7.               Etiquette classes,
8.               Regular classes and examination in scholastic subjects
9.               Learning of local language (Assamese)
10.           Sunday oratory and mission exposures
11.           Sodality groups
12.           Annual Sports
13.           Weekly conferences,
14.           Novenas, nosegays, feast day celebrations,
15.           Picnics and outings
16.           Annual congresses (Marian Congress, Eucharistic congress, Missionary Congress, Salesian Congress, etc)
17.           Competitions: Quiz (on Don Bosco, Mary, Catechism, General knowledge), Declamation, Outdoor games,
18.           Stage performances: Plays, Theatricals, Academy, etc.
19.           Daily journal writing, music practices, typing practices
20.           Creative activities like making notice boards, skits, essay writing, etc.
21.           Daily manual work.
22.           Short term course (leadership, group dynamics, personality development, mass media, journalism, etc.)
2. The Pre-novitiate
 
The province has started the pre-novitiate from May 2007 onwards suspending the novitiate for a year. Presently the pre-novitiate is at the Emmaus Novitiate house. Next year (2008) it will be shifted to the new site in Amguri. In keeping with the Ratio the pre-novitiate is for one year. This is a period of special preparation immediately prior to the novitiate to deepen the candidate’s vocation choice and verify his suitability for beginning the novitiate. This is the beginning of the initial formation of the candidate who asks to enter the Salesian Congregation in the province to dedicate his life to the Lord in the service of youth. In 2007, there are 17 pre-novices and three confreres on the staff.
 
Formation activities
 
Here various activities are organised to enable the candidates to discover themselves, foster sense of responsibility and capacity for relationships and to deepen the spiritual values and motivation of the candidates. Some of the activities are listed here.
1.           Meditation, Personal prayer,
2.           Spiritual Direction, Confession
3.           Regular Monthly recollections,
4.           Annual retreats
5.           Salesiana, Catechism, Church History and Bible classes
6.           Regular classes to improve the proficiency in English language
7.           Sunday oratory and mission exposures
8.           Weekly conferences,
9.           Novenas, nosegays, feast day celebrations,
10.       Picnics and outings
11.       Competitions: Quiz (on Don Bosco, Mary, Catechism, General knowledge), Declamation, Outdoor games,
12.       Music and Computer practices
13.       Creative activities like making notice boards, skits, essay writing, etc.; Stage performances: Plays, Theatricals, Academy, etc.
14.       Daily manual work.
15.       Group activities
16.       Short term course (leadership, group dynamics, personality development, Mass Media, spiritual direction, praying the psalms, Sacraments, etc.)
 
The Novitiate
 
Emmaus Novitiate located as Sechii-Zubza is the novitiate house of the province of Dimapur. In 2007, the novitiate is suspended for a year and it will reopen in May 2008.
Post-Novitiate Formation
 
Salesian college situated in Dimapur is the post-novitiate house of formation. It is an inter-provincial house of formation. The post-novitiate formation in the province is for three years. During these three years the young Salesians are helped to deepen their Salesian experience and together with that they undergo philosophical studies and B.A degree. Presently there are 49 young Salesians in post-novitiate formation. 21 of the belong to Dimapur province, 6 belong to New Delhi province and 22 belong to Guwahati province. There are 8 confreres on the staff.
 
Formation Activities
 
A number of formation activities are organised to foster the vocation of the aspirants and give them an all round formation. Some of the activities are listed here.
1.           Community prayer,  
2.           Meditation, Personal prayer,
3.           Spiritual Direction, Manifestation, Confession
4.           Regular Monthly recollections,
5.           Annual retreats
6.           Group prayers, group masses
7.           Apostolic groups,
8.           Sunday Apostolate
9.           Sodality groups
10.       Weekly conferences,
11.       Mission Exposure program during the winter holidays, etc.