Vocations and Their Formation Today by Fr. Guy Lespinay, O.P.
Formation in religious life is a very complex matter. Indeed, it has become even more so since we live in a time of doubt and uncertainty when religious houses are closing and more than a few religious communities are facing the possibility of extinction for lack of vocations. Yet, while it is neither popular, nor easy to speak positively of religious life, and much less of formation for religious life, we must find the courage to do so! The formation plan has to be clear, yet, in its clarity, it must not become too rigid. The author sets out a number of priorities and responsibilities in which the first person responsible for discernment and growth is the candidate himself. Without devoting special chapters to each group, he considers the differences between monasteries and apostolic congregations focusing a remark here and there, for example, on the difficulties met in contemplative monasteries where those in formation are few and formation can last 6 to 8 years without a change of spiritual guide. This book is extremely valuable for the way in which it draws our attention to details frequently assumed (and thus often forgotten), reminding us that the young candidate to religious life is truly representative of his or her generation. The work also points out a number of snares into which formation communities may fall, e.g., harshly critiquing the candidate or using those in formation as household servants. These pitfalls are easily and best avoided! In short, this is a solid, straightforward and faithful book that avoids indulging in illusions as it outlines conditions for a positive journey along the path of formation in religious communities today.
Fr. Guy Lespinay, OP, born in Canada, spent many years in France as the Formation Director of the Dominican students there. This has afforded him the rare opportunity to compare and consider the different situations in formation existing both in his native land and abroad. As he mentions in the book, at age 46 he was a latecomer to the Dominican Order. He was ordained in 1984, became chaplain at the University of Montreal and founded the Benoit-Lacroix Center of Studies for pastoral service. He continues to be engaged in formation work today.