Annual Report. PATRIARCHAL CURIA UGCC 2019

69 The Commission on religious has initiated a series of encoun- ters aimed at the development of formation advisors, teachers of novices and novices of different religious orders. The ongoing formation will help religious to overcome difficulties and to remain true witnesses of Christ in the world. Good formation of religious depends foremost on those charged with formation (instructors or formation advisors). One of the main tasks of those responsible for formation is to ascertain whether the novices and the young professed are being effectively nurtured by a spiritual director. Formation advisors are called to educate and to help newly con- secrated persons gain a better understanding of themselves, their talents and possibilities, strengths and weaknesses. In addition to the lessons, both doctrinal and practical, a formation advisor has to lead novices by personal example. There are 35 religious orders and congregations (female and male) in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church with about 1, 282 religious and consecrated persons This year the Commission launched a special educational program for major superi- ors of religious orders from the UGCC and Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine attended by 20 superiors. We have an ongoing formational program for novices of religious orders attended by 14 novices. Some of the topics covered during the program go beyond theo- logical issues such as "Effective communication as an instrument for reaching your goal", "Finding synergy between your body and soul". A special emphasis was put on strength- ening the faith in practicing Lectio Divina and Ignatius spiritual exercises and retreats for the religious. On February 9, 2019 the Commission organized "A Day of Consecrated Persons" and a Pilgrimage of religious to Lutsk attended by more than 300 religious. This event is part of the Commission’s efforts to promote vocations to religious life . At another important church event, a youth festival "Wind of hope" attended by more than 10, 000 young peo - ple, the Commission organized a special promo vocation campaign "Black Tent" , where young people had an opportunity to get acquainted with the life of religious persons. The Patriarchal Commission on Clergy The UGCC Commission on Clergy of the Patriarchal Curia coordinates the formation of seminarians in spiritual seminaries and religious formation institutions. In the words of the Head of the Commission His Excellency Bohdan Danylo, Eparch of Parma (USA): "We have been truly blessed to have 737 seminarians studying for priesthood in 6 Seminaries in Ukraine and 101 students studying abroad ." There are 5 major seminaries (Kyiv-Kni- azhychi (76), Lviv (203), Ivano-Frankivsk (194), Ternopil (152), Drohobych (60) and Basilian Institute of Theological-Philosophical studies (52) in Ukraine. Our students also study in some seminaries abroad: Collegium Orientale in Eichstätt, Germany (42), Pontifical Ukrainian College of St. Josaphat in Rome, Italy (53) and St. Basil College Seminary in Stamford, USA (6).