Stage 1:
PRE-NOVITIATE

Focus: The discovery of Jesus Christ and
of a personal call (vocation).

 

CANDIDACY is a time of vocational discernment within the context of an established relationship with a given local community. It is a non-residential period of time and the Candidate continues his regular job or studies.

This period is meant to deepen the level of dialogue and sharing between the Congregation and the Candidate. This period lasts no less than six months. There are several interviews with the Vocation Minister. It is recommended that a candidate live with the closest local community for at least a month if possible.

The candidate requests to apply for the process to begin entry into the Congregation. At this point of request, a behaviorial assessment interview formalizes the process and sees if a candidate has the skills and gifts for our mission.

POSTULANCY provides the opportunity for a more profound understanding of Christ, and the Church and a first initiation into the Congregation's spirituality. Postulancy is a residential program of formal study and ministry under the Postulant Director; thus the postulant must terminate his normal profession and studies before this period.

This program awakens within the Postulant a desire to follow Christ which will modify the course of his entire life. "Since the very purpose of consecrated life is conformity to the Lord Jesus in his total self-giving, this must also be the principal objective of formation. Formation is a path of gradual identification with the attitude of Christ towards the Father," (Vita Consecrata, no. 65)

Postulancy is at least a one year program located in Albuquerque, NM

 

Stage 2:
NOVITIATE

Focus: The discovery of the Eucharistic vocation of the Congregation and vowed life within the Church.

 

NOVITIATE has often been compared to the "desert" experience. It is a time apart from the usual pattern of one's life and involvements so that discipleship might be deepened and the dimensions of the Eucharistic vocation and mission be explored and integrated. It lasts for two full years.

Through prayer, study, reflection, community life and limited work in the Congregation's apostolates, the Novice better understands himself, his call, the religious vows, and the challenges of the Eucharistic vocation and mission today.

The Code of Canon Law says that "The novitiate, through which life in an institute is begun, is arranged so that the novices better understand their divine vocation, and indeed one which is proper to the institute, experience the manner of living of the institute, and form their mind and heart in its spirit, and so that their intention and suitability are tested," (can. 646).

"Sufficient time should be reserved for initial formation, understood as a process of development which passes through every stage of personal maturity - from the psychological and spiritual to the theological and pastoral," (Vita Consecrata, no. 65).

"Particular attention must be given to a cultural formation in line with the times and in dialogue with the research of the meaning of human life today. This calls for a greater preparation in the philosophical, theological and psychological fields and a more profound orientation to the spiritual life," (Starting Afresh, no. 18).

The novitiate is held in NYC at the Saint Jean Baptiste Community.

Stage 3:
SCHOLASTICATE

Focus: The discovery of the Eucharistic Mission

 

SCHOLASTICATE is a time of opening to, and preparation for, the Eucharistic mission as a Blessed Sacrament Father, Deacon or Brother.

Our Rule says that the scholastic cleric (seminarian) continues his formation for diaconate and priesthood according to the requirements of Canon Law and the program of studies. Depending on his talents, he will learn a specialized ministry.

The scholastic brother equally prepares himself to carry out the various tasks in the service of our communities, to take on a pastoral ministry or to exercise a particular profession.

Scholastics study at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago preparing for a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. The M.Div. degree has two tracks: Track I is designed to meet the needs of those individuals who will not be ordained. Track II is designed for candidates for the priesthood, and follows the specifications for academic and ministerial formation as required by The Program of Priestly Formation of the U.S. Bishops.

"Centuries of tradition bear witness to difference between formation for religious life and formation of candidates for the priesthood. Formation for religious life must always take into account the charism, history, and mission of the particular institute or society, while recognizing the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral requirements incumbent upon all who are called to the ministerial priesthood" (US Bishops' PPF, n. 30).

"These qualities are needed for [future priests] to be balanced people, strong and free, capable of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities. They need to be educated to love the truth, to be loyal, to respect every person, to have a sense of justice, to be true to their word, to be genuinely compassionate, to be men of integrity and, especially, to be balanced in judgment and behavior " (Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 42, 43).

The scholasticate extends at least until perpetual profession. For the religious who intends to be ordained a priest, the scholasticate lasts until completion of the formation prescribed for the priesthood.