Religious formation is a crucial aspect of the lives of those called to consecrated and priestly life. It is the process by which individuals are prepared for their vocation and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their mission in the Church and in the world. However, the reality is that formation programmes often have gaps, particularly in the area of human formation.
This is where Sister Josephine Enenmo OLA steps in. Josephine has been involved in the process of initial and ongoing religious formation for over 25 years. Her experience includes serving as Director of Postulants, then of Novices, accompanying junior professed OLA Sisters, and supervising formation programmes of religious institutes, societies of apostolic life, and seminaries in Nigeria, her country of origin, and in other countries.
Josephine’s deep awareness of the gaps in many formation programmes, especially in the area of human formation, led her to train as a psychodynamic psychotherapist and to study Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Roehampton, London. She saw the need to bridge the gap in the area of human formation in religious and priestly formation programmes, as well as to provide a more integral formation approach.
In 2011, Josephine joined the team at the Institute of Formators in Du, Plateau State, Nigeria, where she trained priests and religious for the work of religious formation. In 2012, she became the Director of the Institute, a position she held until 2018. Later in 2018, she joined the Religious Formation Ministry Programme at Loreto House, Dublin. Her previous experience in the formation of candidates for consecrated and priestly life prepared her to contribute to the development of an integral formation programme for these Institutes.
The Religious Formation Ministry Programme (RFMP) is an international one-year renewal programme for women and men, under the auspices of AMRI, which is in its 40th year. The programme is renowned for its excellence and offers outstanding opportunities for personal and ministerial growth in a cross-cultural setting. A combination of reflective processes, experiential learning, and intellectual challenge facilitates the personal integration of new theological understanding with the participant’s own experience. The programme draws on both contemporary and ancient wisdom to prepare people for new ministries, leadership roles, initial and ongoing formation.
What excites Josephine about the RFMP is the internationality of the programme. She enjoys interacting with and being enriched by participants who come from different parts of the world. The RFMP is designed to meet the needs of those involved in formation work, including formators, vocation directors, and those responsible for ongoing formation. The programme seeks to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to form and accompany candidates for consecrated and priestly life in an integral and holistic way.
Josephine Enenmo’s work is an excellent example of how individuals can use their experience and training to contribute to the development of more effective and holistic formation programmes for those called to consecrated and priestly life. Her passion for the work of formation, and commitment to providing a more integral approach, has been an inspiration to all who work in this field. Her work serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing formation and the need to continually evaluate and improve the formation programmes available to those who are discerning their vocation in the Church.
The Religious Formation Ministry Programme, Loreto House, is currently accepting applications for the new academic year beginning on September 14th 2023 and running until June 14th 2024. While late applications will be accommodated, it is advisable to apply as early as possible in order to secure a visa in good time for the start of the programme.
For further information and application forms please consult the website or make direct contact:
Josephine Enenmo OLA
Religious Formation Ministry Programme
Willow Park, Rock Road,
Blackrock
Co. Dublin, IRELAND
Tel: + 353 1 210792
rfmploretohouse@gmail.com