Formation Ministry

Formation is the most important ministry by which the charism and spirituality of the Institute are creatively and faithfully proposed to and shared with successive generations. It is the mind of the Church and of the Order that we should offer those desiring to join us, a formation program imbued with the TOR charism and spirituality. “ Formation is a sharing in the work of the Father who, through the Spirit, fashions the inner attitudes of the Son in the hearts of young men and women”(Vita Consecrata 66, A).

When applied to self, formation is one’s own growth process to wholeness; to keep oneself in a transformative process towards optimum development. When applied to others, formation is accompaniment in the growth process of the formee. As formation involves transformation of the attitudes, values and behaviour of the persons concerned, three essential steps, namely understanding, internalizing and practicing are incorporated in the Province’s formation program towards their realization.The TOR Franciscans have two minor seminaries, one in Meenangadi, Wayanad, Kerala, and the other in Madhurawada, Visakhaptnam, Andhra Pradesh. Their Novitiate House is located in the mountains of the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. And their clericate is at Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.