Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
1 Samuel 3:9
Formation
Formation is a lifelong process of helping the religious conform his or her life to that of Jesus Christ. The first years of religions life are known as initial formation, and culminate, God-willing, in profession of Final Vows.
POSTULANCY (Six months to one year): This is a time of initial formation and continued discernment. The postulant lives in community and participates in the daily life of the sisters and friars, learning about how the community prays, what its apostolate (work) is like, and experiencing life in community. The postulant is free to leave the community at any time.
NOVITIATE (Two years): Building upon the postulancy experience, the novitiate is a time more set apart for prayer and study. Built into this time is limited, hands-on exposure to the community’s apostolate. This is also a time when the young Franciscan pulls back more intentionally from extra social obligations to focus more time on developing his or her relationship with God. A novice promises to live the life of the community and takes on a religious habit, but is free to leave the community at any time.
TEMPORARY PROFESSED (Three to five years): The temporary professed vow to live in poverty, chastity and obedience, which are renewed each year. They are incorporated into more of the community’s life and apostolate, and often continue studies to help prepare them for teaching or preaching.
FINAL OR SOLEMN PROFESSED: Priests, brothers and sisters who profess final or solemn vows have discerned that religious life as a Franciscan of the Eucharist is truly their vocation, the state of life that is their path to holiness. They are consecrated to God forever. Even though the sister or friar has made this commitment, they will participate in ongoing formation throughout their entire life, always seeking to grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Formation Classes
Throughout initial formation, young Franciscans have many wonderful opportunities to study and grow in their understanding of Franciscan Life, Prayer and the Catholic Faith.
Postulancy and Novitiate Classes
These classes are taught to our postulants and novices as part of their initial formation:
- Introduction to Prayer
- Essential Elements of Religious Life
- Vita Consecrata
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Liturgy and Sacraments
- Franciscan History and Saints
Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies or Master of Divinity
During novitiate, young Franciscans begin their studies to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic Faith and help equip them for evangelization, teaching and preaching. All Franciscans study in the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program at Mundelein Seminary. Any of our brothers who are called to the priesthood would study as seminarians in the Master of Divinity program at Mundelein Seminary. We are very grateful to Cardinal Cupich and Fr. John Kartje for these excellent opportunities for the continued theological, pastoral and spiritual formation provided at Mundelein Seminary for our community.
Teaching: Master of Arts in Teaching
Some of our members are called to teach religion in poor Catholic Schools. Those who are able to teach are required to be licensed teachers by state law. Our members are able to fulfill this requirement by studying in a Master of Arts in Teaching program if they don’t already have a teaching license. We’ve had Franciscans complete their studies both at Dominican University and DePaul University. Studies for teacher formation would begin after a Franciscan has professed temporary vows and has completed their theology studies at Mundelein Seminary.