Formation

Formation Ministry: The post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation – Vita Consecrata - issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996 referred to formation as a sharing of the work of the Father who, through the Spirit fashions the inner attitudes of the Son in the hearts of young men and women (cf VC 66). They are to be formed unto Christ through a process of gradual transformation and in this process the formees are to take personal responsibility for maturing in their vocation under the action of the Holy Spirit. The formators on the other hand will journey with them and accompany them through a personal dialogue and show them continually the path of seeking God (cf VC 66).

Revered Fr Founder, Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas right from the inception of the Congregation gave top priority for the formation of its members and facilitated all that was required as per the mind of the Church. Unto this effect, on regular basis, he delivered profound spiritual conferences to the Novices, Junior Sisters and Senior Sisters and drafted the First Book of Constitutions. In addition, he guided the sisters individually when they sought his guidance. All these testify to the solid formation that he personally and through the formators of the early decades he imparted to the sisters. “My appeal to my children today is, consider well your dignity, consider well your vocation, your Heavenly Mother has admitted you into her Son’s School of Perfection, and is perfecting you in it. He teaches you how to take, like the wise virgins, the lamp of virginity in your hands and follow Jesus wherever He goes, taking up the cross and following Him” – these vouch to the depth of formation that he envisioned and imparted. Over the years, the Congregation has given paramount importance to the formation of its members and has given them opportunities to grow in Jesus and in the spirit of the institute.

In line with the spirit of our Founder and in response to the mandate of the Church through the Apostolic Exhortation, Vita Consecrata in 1996, the leaders of the Congregation have evolved a RATIO, a Formation Plan for the Congregation, covering all the stages of Formation, including the on-going formation. The stages are as follows:

1. ‘Come and See’ Candidacy
   
2. Student Candidacy
   
3. Pre-Novitiate
   
4. Novitiate
   
5. Juniorate Phase 1A (9 months) and Phase IB ( 3 months)
   Juniorate Phase II (II Year to V Year)
   
6. Tertianship – Year of Preparation for Perpetual Profession
   
7. On-going Formation
   Phase I: Perpetual Profession to 45 Years
   Phase II: 46 to 65 Years
   Phase III: 66 to 75 Years
   Phase IV: 75 years and Above

The Congregation has been earnest to implement this RATIO systematically and to evaluate it annually. The formators are trained accordingly in India and Abroad. It’s our earnest desire that we form a band of disciples for Jesus in Bethany to be good news and to bring good news of the kingdom of God. May Bethany Grow, Flower and Bear Fruit in plenty by the blessings of the Almighty!

Sr Mariette BS
General Coordinator for Formation
Bethany Generalate,
P Box 593
Kankanady PO Mangalore 575002

Provincial Superiors: 2023-24

Sr Cicilia Mendonca BS Provincial Superior Mangalore Province	Sr Sahana BS Provincial Superior Bangalore Province	Sr Judy Varghese BS Provincial Superior Southern Province
Sr Sally BS Provincial Superior Western Province	Sr Erasma BS Provincial Superior Northern Province	Sr Jessy Maria BS Provincial Superior Eastern Province
Sr Benedicta Aranha BS Provincial Superior Guwahati Province	Sr Lucious BS Provincial Superior Silchar Province	Sr Antonette Coutinho BS Tanzania Delegation Superior

Formation Coordinators : 2023-24

Sr Lilly Pereira BS Formation Coordinator Mangalore Province	Sr Sonia Dias BS Formation Coordinator Bangalore Province	Sr Priya Rose BS Formation Coordinator Southern Province
Sr Shalet Mendonca BS Formation Coordinator Western province	Sr Clare Toppo BS Formation Coordinator Northern province	Sr. Agnelita BS Formation Coordinator Eastern province
Sr Ruth Kaisa BS Formation Coordinator Guwahati Province	Sr Surekha BS Formation Coordinator Silchar Province	Sr Vandana BS Formation Coordinator Tanzania Delegation