Secretariat For Formation And Studies

Secretary and Convener	Br. Shaji Nicholas
Members	Br.Tommy TJ (Moderator for Ongoing Formation) Br. Naveen George (Director of Theology & Pastoral Formation) Br. Madhu Sudhan (Director of Regency) Br. Johnson MV (Director of Basic Formation); Br. Charles Bernard (Master of Novices) Br. Arvind Kerketta (Master of Postulants) Br. Joseph Raj (Master of Aspirants) Br. Christy (Vocation Coordinator)
Email	secformindia@gmail.com

Note:

The Secretariat is a permanent institution of the province for the animation, promotion and coordination for all the Formation related activities in the province, in dependence on the Minister Provincial.  The Secretariat shall organize the programmes of Formation and Studies in the Province in accordance with the General Constitutions and Statutes, the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae and the Ratio Studiorum OFM. Its purpose is to assure that Formation is organic, gradual and consistent for all the Friars of the Province and for all the candidates (cf. GGCC 133; RFF 52). 

The main duties are:      

•  to promote, coordinate and articulate the formative efforts of the different Houses of Formation through suitable means and opportune initiatives;
• to work together with the other Secretariats and Councils of the Province;
• to take care of reports on information, on the exchange of formation experiences and on the inspiring lines of Franciscan formation in a spirit of service and collaboration with the other Secretariats of the Conference, Order and with other academic, scientific, cultural and religious Entities, especially with those of the Franciscan Family;
• to see to it that the formators, professors and experts in the sciences prepare and renew themselves constantly;
• to suggest those Friars who should specialise in the different areas of knowledge to the Provincial Definitory (cf. RS II) in accordance with the needs of the Provincial Fraternity and the Order while keeping the gifts of each one in mind (cf. RS 97.98);
• to propose the names of those Friars suitable for the service of formators and the names of the Friars suitable for integration into the formative fraternities to the Provincial Definitory, always bearing in mind what the General Constitutions and the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae say in this regard (cf. GGCC 140 §1.2.3; RFF 71-88);
• to organise activities of ongoing formation for formators;
• to offer information about the different theological, pastoral and spiritual proficiency courses. 
• to conduct annual programmes for the formees and formators. 
• to help fulfil the ecclesial requirements of the formation houses/study centres