INITIAL FORMATION PROGRAM

In summoning disciples to share fellowship and mission in His company, Jesus invited them to “come and see,” (see John 1:39). The Church has entrusted the Order of the Somascan Fathers with the important mission of proclaiming to the world that God is Our Father, through his Son Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, and the example of Saint Jerome Emiliani, Universal Patron Saint of the Orphans. In order that others may share in this Apostolic mission, our Order continually welcomes new members. 

Formation progressively and gradually introduces the individual to our life of prayer, fraternity, and service centered on teaching and healing. 

Our formation/education program is divided into three Stages leading to final vows and/or ordination to the priesthood. 

STAGE 1: PRE-NOVITIATE 

Focus: Discovering the Call (Your Vocation)

1. COME AND SEE. The “Come and See” Phase at Somasca Hall is an opportunity that the Somascan Fathers offer to those interested in finding out their Christian vocation. Specifically, it aims at and promotes discernment especially for a vocation to religious life and/or priesthood in the Order of the Somascan Fathers.

Requirements:

1.  Filling up an application and commitment to abide by the goal and rules/expectations of this program.

2. Approval by both the Vocation (Interview) and the Program Directors.The candidate may then request further discernment into the life of the Congregation, which will lead to Postulancy.

2. POSTULANCY

This phase provides the opportunity for a more profound understanding of Christ, His Church, and a first initiation in the Order’s spirituality. The postulant lives with the religious community and so experiences religious life and a variety of ministries under the Postulant Director. This program awakens within the postulant a desire to follow Christ, and to help him discern his vocation in the Church. At the end of this stage, there is an evaluation of the postulant prior to Novitiate.

STAGE 2: NOVITIATE

Focus: Discovering the Mission of the Order of the Somascan Fathers and Vowed Religious Life

The Novitiate is a time apart from the usual pattern of one’s life and involvements so that the dimensions of the vocation and mission are explored and integrated. Through prayer, study, reflection, community life, and limited ministry, the Novice grows in an understanding of his call, the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, the charism of our Founder Saint Jerome Emiliani, and the joys and challenges of religious life. The Novitiate lasts for one years. At the end of Novitiate, and if approved, the Novice professes vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and moves on to the Studies in Philosophy and Theology.

STAGE 3: POST-NOVITIATE (Philosophy and Theology)

Focus: Discovering and preparing for the Mission within the Order of the Somascan Fathers

This step is a time of formal study and continued formation in our spirituality and prayer, community life, and ecclesial ministry leading to final vows and/or priestly ordination: Our seminarians could join our community in Rome (Italy) and are formed for the priesthood according to the requirements of Canon Law and the program of studies offered by many Vatican Universities in Rome. The Master of Divinity degree is a requirement for ordination.We have also a period called “Internship”: it could be one or two years. It is intended to help candidate to experience directly the ministry with orphans and needy youth in one on our community. The goal is to identify in each candidate gifts and talents so that each candidate can be placed in the best situation possible during our ministry.