Stages of faith of the formands at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco and the readiness for the ratio

• Main Author: Martin, Gerardo N., SDB
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2010
• Subjects: Faith development; Religious Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6675; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=13004&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study described and analyzed the profile of the stages of faith development of the 44 formands of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco and compared it with the stage of faith expected by the Ratio, the norms and principles of formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, using James Fowler‟s Faith Development Theory (FDT). The overall average faith stage of the formands is 4.28 or Stage 4 (Individuative reflective). Of the 44 formands, 27% are in Stage 3 (Synthetic conventional), 64% in Stage 4 and 7% in Stage 5 (Conjuctive). Overall, 89% are in post Synthetic-conventional that means their faith scores are half a point more than Stage 3. There is no significant difference among the scores of the themes and among the aspects of faith. There is also a high positive correlation among the aspects of faith of the formands implying that the faith scores of the formands are not aspect specific. The variables of age, mental ability, number of years in Don Bosco schools or youth centers, number of years of study of theology, number of years of missionary experience, growing up in Christian culture, the experience of crisis in life and acquiring of values in the family do not have significant relationship with the formands‟ stages of faith. However, mental ability, number of years of study of theology, years in Don Bosco schools or youth centers and value formation from the family combined form the best predictors of faith of the formands. The faith level expected from the formands by the Ratio is 4.78, a stage transitioning to Stage 5. The faith scores of the formands indicate a significant difference with the stage of faith expected of them by the Ratio. This is expected since the faith level of the Ratio is the trajectory of development for the formands at the end of their specific formation. The formands of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco are ready for the Ratio as shown by their faith profile in relation with what is expected of them by the Ratio. The FDT is applicable to the specific stage of formation and is recommendable to apply to other stages of initial and ongoing formation in the Ratio. The application of FDT in formation is vital in the friendly talk with the rector; in spiritual direction; in enhancing the formation plan and exerting more positive intervention in the formator-formand relationship; and in promoting a public church to nurture the faith of the formands to help them make a transition to the expected level of faith development.