Course for Formators in Pyscho-sexual Integration for formees

The South Asia Formation Commission of the Salesians of Don Bosco organized a course for formators from 6 to 10 November 2024 at Don Bosco provincial house, Bangaluru. The course was centered on the theme of psycho-sexual integration for formees in the post-novitiate or those completing their juniorate.

A total of 36 formators, both men and women, hailing from 16 different congregations participated in this program. The resource persons, namely Frs Bosco Ponthakkan, Johnny Nedungatt, Banzelao Teixeira and Sr Bernie Joseph emphasized on the importance of affective maturity and Psycho-sexual integration for formators and formees. They touched on the following topics: healthy relationships, celibate friendships, respecting boundaries, deviant behaviors, sexual abuse, gender sensitivity, preventive approach, and the preventive system of Don Bosco as a means for psycho-sexual integration. The participants were helped to understand the above topics in depth, as presented in volume 4 of the manuals on Formation towards Psycho-sexual and Celibate Integration prepared by Mahesh Arnald SDB and Paul Raj SDB.

It must be noted that the Salesians of Don Bosco have prepared a six volume set of manuals for formees to help young people entering religious life to grow in affective maturity. The six volumes are related to the various stages of formation: aspirantate, pre-novitiate, novitiate, post-novitiate, practical training or regency, and theological formation.