History of the Programme

The Loreto House Programme, as the Religious Formation Ministry Programme is more popularly known, was established in Ireland in 1982. The initiative was taken by the Conference of Religious of Ireland (then known as the Conference of Major Religious Superiors). It came into being in response to the need to prepare religious women and men and for the ministry of formation of new members and for leadership roles in their Congregations/Societies/Dioceses. However, a significant number of religious also availed of the Programme for personal renewal or to discern future ministry during a time of transition. 

As the number of international participants increased the sponsorship of the Programme was taken over by the Irish Missionary Union in 1998. It offers a valuable resource to its members, many of whom are in the process of handing over responsibility for formation, leadership and projects to local members of the Congregation /Society abroad.

RFM, Willow Park School Campus

From the beginning the course welcomed applicants from any part of the world, though the majority in the early years were Irish born. To date 885 participants have graduated.

See details of each of the year groups on the Participants page