Rogationist Fathers Formation House

"The future of the Church depends on vocations..." - John Paul II

STAGES OF ROGATIONIST FORMATION

The Rogationist Formation Program is divided into three stages leading into full incorporation into the community. The stages are: Pre-Novitiate, Novitiate, and Post-Novitiate.

1. Pre-Novitiate

• Candidacy   This Pre-Novitiate program is a period of formal preparation for admission to the Rogationists. It is an introduction to our way of life as a religious and Apostolic Institute in the Church.

During this time, the individual takes part in a planned program aimed at leading him to a mature choice and commitment to and integration to the Institute as Postulant.

• Postulancy   Postulancy is a time of discernment, not a commitment. It provides the person with a deeper experience of community living in general and Rogationist family life in particular.

All Postulants share in liturgy and common prayer, as well as in house duties. Each one has an education program and a particular part-time ministry. Involvement in ministry is a component of Rogationist formation at every stage of development.

Normally, the Rogationist seminarians in candidacy have their pre-novitiate program in Sanger, California and the postulancy in Camarillo, California. In order to complete their education, they attend local colleges or universities or at St. John Seminary in Camarillo.

This period of time enables the seminarians to observe and participate in religious life from the "inside". It also gives the community an opportunity to see if the postulants show promise of living the life of a Rogationist.

2. Novitiate (back to top)

The purpose of the Novitiate is to provide the novice with a unique time and place to come into a deeper and personal understanding of the vows, the spirituality, the charism, and the Constitution of the Rogationists.

This is a time of spiritual maturity to strengthen one's decision and commitment to the Rogationist way of life. During this time, the novice learns the meaning of the special vow of the Rogate which embodies the spirituality of the Rogationist.

The novitiate normally lasts for one year after which the novice makes his First Profession of the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and "Rogate". At the same day of his First Profession, the newly professed receives the habit of the Rogationists which is the same as that of the diocesan priests, black Roman cassock and white collar. After the first profession, the vows are renewed yearly until the time for Final Profession.

Following the novitiate, the order assumes all financial responsibility: health and insurance expenses, educational expenses, clothing and personal supplies. In addition, each religious receives a monthly allowance for his own personal and recreational needs.

3. Post Novitiate (back to top)

• Post Novitiate  Post Novitiate formation includes a period of temporary vows and a specific educational program appropriate for priesthood and brotherhood candidates.

* Theological Studies (For Priesthood Candidates)

After Novitiate, Rogationist students begin their studies for the priesthood and work to finish a college degree if they do not have one. They must enter into a four year theology program and attain either the Master of Divinity degree or the Master in Arts in Theology Degree.

Normally, they attend St. John's Seminary (Theology) in Camarillo, California or other local Theological Universities as Rogationist Religious Students.

In order to complete their theological education, Rogationist students may be sent to Italy, where they pursue post-graduate studies or specializations in Pontifical Universities and learn more about the origins, history, and spirituality of the Rogationist Congregation. Usually, they reside at our International House of Studies in Grottaferrata (Rome).

• Educational Programs (For Brotherhood Candidates)  Rogationist Brothers receive the education and training they need for a wide variety of roles in our apostolates, from teaching to programming computers or finance to maintenance.

They have such a vast spectrum of ministries that individual academic or vocational skills will be tailored to the apostolic needs of the community. In order to complete their professional education or for special needs of the congregation, they could be asked to go to Italy, where they also will know more about the Rogationists' spirituality and history. Generally, they stay at our International House of Studies in Grottaferrata (Rome).

During this period of formation, Rogationist Brothers, have the opportunity to take basic theological classes.

Rogationist students and brothers in formation have part-time ministries along with their education program especially in summer time.

• Practical Training   Ever since the Institute's birth, it has been a Rogationist custom to undergo college studies with a period of practical training. This usually lasts one year and is a full time work among youngsters in our Rogationist houses, seminaries, schools, orphanages or parishes.

Noteworthy too, for Rogationists interested in foreign mission service, is the opportunity to undergo their practical training period in our mission lands, usually returning to the U.S. After two years.

Rogationist brothers continue in the full time active apostolate when their practical training period finishes.

• Final Vows   After three years in temporary vows, each Rogationist may then apply to make his final profession or perpetual vows.

Rogationist Brothers at the time of final vows usually have completed their particular education program. At this time, they receive their full time assignment.

Rogationist students may be presented for the Holy Orders only after they have made their perpetual profession.

• Holy Orders  Rogationist students who have professed their final vows are presented first for Ordination to the Diaconate. Normally, nine months later, they are presented to the Church for Ordination to the Priesthood.

At this time, the General of the Rogationists or the Regional Superior gives each new priest his first full time assignment among the many activities of the Congregation.