First-Year Novices Reflect on Family of Origin and Human Formation
By James Banda, nSJ
Greetings from the Gonzaga Gonza Novitiate.
Last week, the first-year novices attended a seminar on “Family of Origin” at the Canossa Spirituality Centre from 21st to 25th September 2026. The seminar brought together novices from different religious congregations and was facilitated by a psychologist. It provided an opportunity for us to reflect on our family backgrounds and how our experiences within our families have shaped our personalities, values, and ways of responding to different situations.
The seminar was helpful in promoting greater self-awareness. We were encouraged to recognize both the positive aspects we have received from our families and areas that may require further understanding and growth as part of our ongoing human formation.
On Friday, 25th September, we also received Fr. Joseph Mboya, SJ, who is scheduled to take over as the Novice Master. We welcomed him to the Novitiate and look forward to his presence and accompaniment as we continue our formation.