Significiant factors of vocational accompaniment that influenced discernment and growth as perceived by graduates and accompagnateurs of Marist Asia Pacific Center

• Main Author: Hazelman, John M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Discipling (Christianity); Vocation (in religious orders, congregations, etc.); Discernment (Christian theology); Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6847
• Institution: De La Salle University

The present study aims to determine the significant factors of personal vocational accompaniment that have influenced discernment and growth as perceived by graduates and accompagnateurs of the Marist Asia Pacific Center. In particular, it seeks to find out how the following factors influenced personal vocational accompaniment: essential conditions of a Christian religious vocation; goals and benefits of personal vocational accompaniment; the accompaniment relationship; accompaniment techniques and methods; the role of the accompagnateurs; the accompaniment sessions; the relationship between personal vocational accompaniment and spiritual direction and the possibility of receiving outside psychological counseling and psychotherapy. The respondents to this study consist of two groups involved in Marist post novitiate formation. The first group is the graduates of the Marist Asia Pacific Center from 1995 to 2005. The second group is the present and past accompagnateurs of this center. Of the 54 graduates, 38 participated in the research, while 10 of the 13 accompagnateurs also participated. Overall, there were 48 respondents. These respondents are from 13 countries in Asia and Oceania. This study made use of the descriptive method of research. All the data used in this research were from two extensive questionnaires that were given to the respondents. The questionnaires incorporated the key elements that the researcher has indicated in the Review of Related Literature and in the conceptual framework. The questionnaire for the graduates included a rating scale which was organized in a scale-meaning form. Close and open-ended questions as well as contingency questions were also given to the graduates and accompagnateurs. These questionnaires were validated by experts in Religious Formation. Mailing was the main method used in sending and receiving these questionnaires. Data from the respondents were categorized, coded and tabularized. Determining the mean and the percentage of numeral data, calculating the frequency of responses, analyzing and summarizing text responses were part of the data - processing procedures. The results showed that the accompagnateurs’ understanding of the essential conditions of a Christian religious vocation are similar. It was also noted that the goals and benefits of accompaniment that they perceive were also connected to the goals and benefits stated by the graduates. Graduates were aware of the significance of growth and discernment in their lives. Regarding the accompaniment process, it was noted that both graduates and accompagnateurs perceived the accompaniment relationship as the most significant aspect of this process. Interpersonal skills were viewed as essential. The results also indicated that acquiring such skills had a more positive influence than the application of accompaniment techniques and methods. Graduates also value respect and understanding of their cultural world views. Useful accompaniment techniques included: using common sense, being approachable, creating a trusting environment, keeping confidentiality, being attentive, showing genuine interest, communicating care, being patient and non threatening. The results also cited the need for monitoring accompagnateurs and student Brothers especially in a situation where a staff Brother is both an animator of a fraternity and the accompagnateur of an individual student Brother. Graduates reported positive experiences of the accompaniment sessions concerning its duration and frequency. Language was a barrier for some graduates in expressing themselves fully during the accompaniment sessions. Graduates were open to the possibility of receiving psychological counseling and psychotherapy outside of the center. Personal vocational accompaniment should continue to be an integral part of Marist formation at the Marist Asia Pacific Center. The accompaniment process is helping young Marist Brothers to integrate their experiences of growth and discernment. Quality preparation of future accompagnateurs is crucial. Having a large pool of accompagnateurs is beneficial to the young Brothers. The study confirmed the researcher’s understanding and appreciation of the important role of personal vocational accompaniment in personalizing the formative experiences of young Brothers. Recommendations are made for the use of this study at the Marist Asia Pacific Center. These include the need for further studies on boundary crossing between vocational accompaniment and spiritual direction; the acquiring of a process for accompagnateurs to evaluate themselves; developing a handbook on accompaniment for future accompagnateurs; and initiating a similar study on the influences of personal vocational accompaniment on graduates of MAPAC who have left the congregation. This study could also provide ideas for other religious formation centers that do not have a similar program. Lastly, the study is a confirmation that formators need to develop interpersonal skills in a one-to-one encounter with their formands.