The Annual ACF Meet was held at Christ Hall, Kozhikode, Kerala from 30 September to 4 October, 2017. The participants included PCFs and RCFs, Rectors and Superiors from common houses, the Formation Delegate from Rome, POSA and ADF. Right at the start we had a sharing by Fr. P.T. Matthew, Socius to Provincial on the history and mission of Kerala province. On 1 October, we had the sharing by the Rectors and Superiors of common houses and the ADF. The second part of the sharing was done by the PCFs and RCFs. This sharing included significant events and initiatives, major challenges and issues of the formation scenario in the Assistancy. We experienced the warm hospitality of St. Joseph’s Jesuit community by being treated to a fine fellowship meal in the evening.

The second day was enriched with the reflections given by POSA on ‘Discernment in Common: Insights from GC 36’. In the following session Fr. Raj Irudaya made a presentation on the JCSA statement. After a personal reading and reflection on the same, we had fruitful spiritual conversations in small groups followed by reporting in a plenary session. More awareness, clarity and appropriate responses were generated on the statement. At the end of the day we as a Jesuit family visited the families of Fr. K.M. Joseph at Anickampoil. We all cherished their wonderful hospitality and are grateful for this rare experience. Our travel to Anickampoil brought home to us the awesome nature of God’s own country.

The third day was allotted for our deliberations on the issues and concerns that came up in the sharings. We experienced a sincere interest and concern in addressing the various issues of formation so that it becomes more personalized, integrated, accompanied and transformative. The highlight of the day was also the thought-provoking sharing by Fr. Jose Magadia, the Formation Delegate, Rome. Highlighting the powerful Venice image, an important step in the formation of the Society, he conveyed that we need to form Jesuits who are rooted in Christ, with solid interiority and equipped for learned ministry, marked by radical Ignatian availability of moving to the frontiers. He also shared with us the universal concerns and challenges related to formation in the Society. He posed to us a pertinent question: “To what extent are our young Jesuits formed so as to be ready to face uncertainty, difficulty, discomfort, and inconvenience in Jesuit life and mission?”

On the concluding day, Fr. ADF thanked all for their committed involvement in the ministry of formation and also shared with us some common concerns. We also had the business session of planning for the next ACF Meet. On the whole, the input sessions, interactions, group discussions and deliberations strengthened us to carry forward the ministry of formation with greater commitment and confidence.
We are extremely grateful to the Provincial of Kerala for having hosted this meet graciously. We place in record the manifold services of Fr. P.T.Mathew and the community of Christ Hall to make our meet fruitful. With a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude we remember Fr. Salvin, the new PCF and Fr. Anto the outgoing PCF for their meticulous and effective arrangements.

• Fr. Joe Xavier, SJ

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