Institute for Laity Formation

What is it?

The Instituto de Formación para Laicos (IFL) is an initative that responds to the need for an integral and permanent formation of the laity in our Church and our world today. Our mission is to accompany and educate the laity so that they can carry out the tasks of the New Evangelization.

We firmly believe that the time is now for lay people to face the challenges of the present and do so with a solid theological foundation. Inspired by the Aparecida document (2007), the magisterium of the laity, and Pope Francis’ teachings, we follow a formative syllabus through 3 serial Diplomas (each lasting one-year) in order to promote leadership of the New Evangelization.

At the beginning of the program, IFL sets the foundation for participants to have an integral and permanent preparation. This way, through encounter with Christ and conversion, we can announce the Gospel, the Kingdom of God, and transform our temporary realities.

The IFL places equal emphasis on integrating this knowledge  into the “heart”, so that this learning can be then “translated” into actions and works.

Pope Francis invites us to be educators, using our mind, heart, and hands. To head this call, we must embrace this learning and personal conversion so that our works may be for the benefit of others and the common good.

How does it help?

By helping participants find their YES from within, IFL reaches at the heart of the person and helps them to listen to their deepest conviction to serve Christ. During the formation process, the students come to discover their personal vocation and to realize what they can do with this vocation, and they learn to embrace the infinite possibilities that God’s love gives to share and to transform our environment.

Why is it important?

This initiative is important because it is an initiative that arises from life itself and is renewed in the reality in which it is lived. From the very beginnng, our program promotes a training that brings about action and service.

Addiotnally, since its inception this initiative has been taken up by both members of the clergy and members of the laity.

How did it start

It arose from the comments and suggestions within the Diocese about the need for a trained and mature laity and how this formation would need to respond to all dimensions of the person, uniting faith and works.

Benefits

Through IFL, participants renew the spark of their vocation and mission. They come to know their great mission, and this knowledge renews their convictions and pastoral passion. Participants come to realize how much they can collaborate with the Church and how much good they can do in their own communties. Participants learn to take Christ with them to each person they encounter, wherever that may be.

Means and funding

IFL is funded by the modest fees that students pay for training.

To take up this initative though you need more than just economic resources – you will need a lot of will and grace. It is a matter of community work where each person offers their own talents to be of service.

Learn more

Please visit our website www.iflgdl.org  or contact informesiflgdl@gmail.com

Countries involved

We are in conversation about possible IFL-inspired projects in Costa Rica, Chile, and the United States in Chicago.

How to start?

We can accompany you in the process. We will share our experience and what we’ve learned with you.