Living Out the Lasallian Values: Religious Educators’ Experiences in Lasallian Formation

Gladiolus M. Gatdula, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

To be a religious educator and a Lasallian formator at the same time is a sacred task. The life of a religious educator and a formator is inseparable as stated by the “Lasallian Guiding Principles of the Philippines” that all Lasallian educators are considered formators by virtue of participation in the Lasallian experience. This study attempts to understand how religious educators as formators live out the Lasallian values of faith, service, and communion. Since it is a phenomenological study, it derived from the lived experiences of eight (8) co-researchers who were chosen from four (4) South Luzon La Salle schools. As a result, first thematic reflections are presented as fruits of significant stories. Five (5) themes emerged from individual structural descriptions; and an eidetic insight as open-ended conclusion with three (3) postulates. Religious education can provide the content and process for a continuing Lasallian formation. The religious education and the Lasallian formation are the most systematic approaches to concretize the Lasallian ministry in living out the core values of faith, service and communion in mission. These can be means to define Lasallian and Catholic identity. Creative symbol and synthesis emerged as integration and summary of all experiences. Implications to their personal and professional lives are given emphasis in carrying out these values.

Full Text: Living Out the Lasallian Values Religious Educators’ Experiences in Lasallian Formation

Keywords: Lasallian values, Religious Educators, Lasallian formation, Phenomenology