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Formation of Lay Salvatorian trainers in DR Congo

Our Salvatorian congregation is founded on the Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, our Divine Savior (John 17:3: “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the True God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent..”) .
The International Community of the Divine Savior, ICDS in acronym, is young in its existence, alongside the two religious branches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It lacks facilitators trained in Salvatorian fundamentals and leadership on group dynamics, a guarantee of their capacity to perpetuate the work of Blessed Francis JORDAN, founder of the congregation.
In order to guarantee the future of this branch of Lay Salvatorians in the DRC, the National Coordination in charge of training
is organizing a first session for the attention of members of the different coordinations.
The coordinators of coordination at all levels of our country naturally need this support in the exercise of their functions in order to make apostolic action and the Salvatorian mission effective. In view of the above, a training plan for lay Salvatorian leaders is essential. This training plan must be adapted to the realities on the ground to respond not only to the signs of the times but also to Salvatorian ideals,
the foundation of our existence and to the needs of the church.
For this reason, training to produce Salvatorian lay trainers was organized in two phases, namely:

  • Phase 1: from January 14 to 17, 2023 on Salvatorian fundamentals
  • Phase 2: from January 14 to 17, 2024 on some theological themes and also on educational practices

The one year gap allowed them to master the Salvatorian fundamentals and at the end of the second phase, they were sent on a mission for the expansion of our national unity. They were at 20 at the start to finish 17 in the second phase.

1. PURPOSE
Provide the International Community of the Divine Savior of the DRC with facilitators trained and prepared to carry out their tasks.

2. THEME
This Training session has the theme: “lay Salvatorian, missionary beyond borders”

3. OBJECTIVES
At the end of this training session, participants will be able to:

  • Prepare and implement a training meeting for other members
  • Prepare members for commitments based on Salvatorian fundamentals, prayer, lectio Divina and meditation.
  • To defend their Catholic faith and explain the meaning of the sacraments and sacramentals
  • To contextualize the gospel and the acts of the apostles after careful reading.
  • To put oneself at the center of creation to discover the Savior God
  • To understand and explain Salvatorian Universality.

Annual retreat in Congo 2022

Last weekend, the lay Salvatorians in Congo gathered for a retreat. The theme was an overview of Salvatorian Spirituality, Charism, Identity as Lay Salvatorians, and Salvatorian Mission. For those who are interested, the presentation in French used for this purpose is available in the ICDS-Forum.
Fr. ANDRÉ KONGOLO preached on the theme, „the lay Salvatorian facing his promises“. Deogratias Kitoko, the unit coordinator, wrote, that it was a good and inspiring meeting.

Visiting Congo

Image1With 3 Belgian Lay Salvatorians we went from May 24 to June 19, 2016 to the Congo. I visited Congo as a representative of the ICDS (→ International Committee of the Divine Sevior).

A delegation of fathers, sisters and lay people had picked us up at the airport. We drove to the ‚ Avenue Kinkondja, where we stayed at the fathers house. Once there, we got a pleasant surprise. The executive committee of the Salvatorian Laity of Lubumbashi cooked a nice meal to welcome us.
After an exuberant greeting, which indicated that they were pleased with our visit.

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