Introduction to R.E.A.L. Formation
What Is R.E.A.L.?
R.E.A.L. Formation (Reawaken and Education Authentic Leaders) is a culturally responsive catechetical program designed for technologically savvy Hispanic youth. The Catholic Culture that forms the basis of Hispanic culture throughout the Americas is an untapped and powerful tool for the transmission of faith. When a connection is made between the way the young people celebrate holy days, for example, and their catechetical lesson, then the culture transmits the timeless teaching in a way that is experiential and incarnational.
“The Gospel lives always in conversation with culture, for the Eternal Word never ceases to be present to the Church and to humanity. If the Church holds back from culture, the Gospel itself falls silent. Therefore, we must be fearless in crossing the cultural threshold of the communications and information revolution now taking place” (John Paul II, March 2002, Address to the Participants in the Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications).
Our goal is to Reawaken and Educate Authentic Leaders. This Confirmation program bridges the gap between volunteer catechists and a growing, underserved Hispanic population who feel increasingly difficult to reach. It’s an introductory program to form both parish leaders, and the young people they are walking with from Confirmation to early adulthood.
Why R.E.A.L. Formation?
Hispanics are the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., with 60% of Catholics under 18 being Hispanic (US Census, 2022). Yet according to Our Sunday Visitor’s Hispanic Experience Initiative, about 60 percent of Catholics under eighteen in the United States are of Hispanic origin, yet most decide to leave the Church before the age of twenty-four.
We’re at a critical crossroad. Forming Hispanic youth is key to raising the next generation of Catholic leaders. The generational and cultural divide between Hispanic immigrants and their U.S.-raised children is widening, exacerbated by technology. Many of our young people have one foot in two different cultures, while not feeling completely “at home” in either. R.E.A.L. Formation responds to this need by preserving the best of Hispanic Catholic culture and technology and integrating it into young people’s lives. This bicultural experience can be the perfect soil to grow an integrated faith life and to form missionaries who can feel at home in every culture.
R.E.A.L. FORMATION
As a Response to the Need in the Church
John Paul II said in Catechesi Tradendae, “We can say of catechesis, as well as of evangelization in general, that it is called to bring the power of the Gospel into the very heart of culture and cultures. For this purpose, catechesis will seek to know these cultures and their essential components; it will learn their most significant expressions; it will respect their particular values and riches” (par. 53).
R.E.A.L. Formation answers this call for Hispanic youth in the Americas. It is the fruit of years of pastoral experience which the Catholic Church in the United States called for at the V Encuentro--“a four-year process of ecclesial reflection and action..[for the] identification of best ministerial practices in the spirit of the New Evangelization.” (V Encuentro Fact Sheet). The U.S. bishops’ V Encuentro initiative highlighted the need for catechetical programs for young Hispanics:
“Existing services did not cater to the majority of young Hispanics, and parents were distraught or frustrated to see their children abandon the faith — especially after completing Confirmation — or to hear them express that their gifts were not welcome in the Church” (Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, 39.)
Different factors such as language, cultural diversity or family structure affect the formation in the faith of young (especially first and second generation) Hispanics. Corazón Puro has worked for more than fifteen years focusing specifically on these areas to provide a space where young people can learn from their Faith and strengthen their Christian identity. This process, forged in a bilingual and bicultural context, was developed by and for second and third generation Hispanics. It incorporates the latest research and the best practices for passing on traditions and doctrines to a constantly shifting generation. Although designed for Hispanics, given its roots in Catholicity it will serve as an important formation tool for all racial/ethnic groups.
Theory of Change: R.E.A.L. Formation emphasizes building a sense of belonging with young people through intentional listening. This relational approach, rather than focusing initially on doctrine, sets the stage for a more fruitful Confirmation or post-Confirmation catechetical experience, developing future Catholic leaders.
Methods of Use: R.E.A.L. formation has been written for high school students and is intended to lead them into early adulthood— even still it may be used for middle school and many of the activities and lessons have been effective with young adults as well. The aim is to be a Confirmation leadership development program.
While R.E.A.L. Formation is in conformity with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) required curriculum for Confirmation, R.E.A.L. Formation can also be used as tool for a youth or young adult ministry.
PARTNERS
EXPERT CONSULTANTS
