1. Justification

The Course for Formators and Leaders of Communities of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is linked to the Carmelite tradition of spiritual accompaniment and its care for spirituality. Through this course, the experience of the Carmelite mystics and their teaching find a concrete way for the training of formators and community leaders who have the task of accompanying young people and the persons entrusted to them through the theological journey to the goal of mysticism: union with God.

2. Goal

The purpose of the Course for Trainers and Leaders of Communities of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is to theoretically and practically form trainers and community leaders in the area of initial and ongoing formation, qualifying them for their task through an anthropo-psychological and psycho-spiritual synthesis for a journey of vocational discernment and accompaniment.

3. For whom

The course is intended, in a special way, for men and women in religious life, priests, members of secular institutes and societies of apostolic life, those who are preparing for or are already involved in formation activities or are responsible for communities.

4. Objectives

The course has the following objectives

• To prepare formators and community leaders capable of integrating the anthropological, psychological and spiritual dimensions in the path of initial and ongoing formation and community organization.
• To enable trainers and community leaders to carry out their duties through the acquisition of the human and theological sciences and the skills necessary for training interventions in their methodological and relational aspects.
• To enable the creation, coordination and evaluation of a formation plan.
• To strengthen the path of personal integration through a group process.
• To promote updating on issues related to Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in order to discern vocations and the formation of candidates.

5. Articulation

The course lasts one year. The program includes theoretical, theoretical-practical lessons and workshops. It also offers a path of personal integration in view of the development of attitudes that are indispensable in the formative relationship. Although the course lasts one year, it is possible to extend its completion up to four years from the first enrollment. There is the possibility of personal accompaniment. The moderator of the Course is Prof. Ignatiuous Kunnumpurathu Paul.

6. Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Course it is required to have a high school diploma or equivalent qualification.

7. Diploma

The Diploma of Formator and Responsible for Communities of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is awarded to those who have passed the required evaluation and exams. 
The Diploma does not confer any academic degree by the authority of the Holy See (cf. Statute, art. 92; Veritatis Gaudium, Norms, art. 41).
For the aforementioned Diploma, the final mark is calculated by averaging the marks of the exams taken during the Course.

Class schedule

Monday to Friday: 08.30-12.55. The Methodological Laboratory takes place in the afternoon (three meetings of two hours).