|
Chapter 6 Formation
Pastoral Concern for Vocations
God's Plan
92. God has a loving plan1 for each human being, which He makes known in a series of calls2. For each of us, Christ is always the way we must follow. Within the Church we come to learn the ideals of the Gospel and to bring them to life.
Helping Vocations to emerge
93. Aware that each person is called to holiness1, we help young people to develop the grace of their baptism2 by a more radical commitment for the sake of the Kingdom - as lay people3, as consecrated persons, or as priests. We encourage them to be aware of the needs of others, to open their hearts4 to the will of the Father, and to make more and more their own Mary's readiness to be of service5.
93.1 The work of encouraging vocations needs to be organised in close liaison with the diocese and with an awareness of the Church's needs. Such work extends to families, who are invited to reflect on the different states of life and to pray that vocations may emerge.
93.2 We give direction and life to apostolic movements in which young people may find a spirit that favours their response to the Lord.
Everyone is involved
94. Every Brother in the Province should feel deeply the need to encourage vocations1. The most persuasive invitation to follow Christ comes from the witness given by our consecration, and by our life of simplicity and joy lived in a community which is in solidarity with the poor. We call young people to discover our life of brotherhood and apostolic action, and we invite them to commit themselves to this life.
We pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to spread the Gospel2. Mary is our inspiration in the work of encouraging vocations, as she was for Marcellin Champagnat. We ask her to sustain and develop what she has begun3.
94.1 The Brother Provincial has the primary responsibility for the work of encouraging vocations in the Province. With the help of his Council, he sets up the necessary structures. (cf 150.2.6)
94.2 We willingly undertake to be the confidants and counsellors of young people who are searching for their vocation. We encourage them by inviting them to our communities and welcoming them in a warm brotherly spirit.
The General Purpose of Formation
95. The vitality of our religious family and its fidelity to its mission depend, to a great extent, on the formation of its members1. The Institute takes great care to provide a formation that is well-based and adapted to the personalities and the cultures of its members. The different stages of formation should all be characterised by a common goal - to form men capable of vowing their entire life to God in an apostolic Marist community.
Each one, led by the Holy Spirit and helped by the formation personnel, is the principal artisan of his own formation.
95.1 Each Province examines the questions arising from the work of encouraging vocations and from that of initial and on-going formation. In accordance with the Formation Guide, the Brother Provincial and his Council draw up a plan of action and see that it is carried through. (c 659, 2; cf 150.2.6)
95.2 This plan will provide criteria for the admission of candidates.
95.3 If the work is to be truly effective, it is vital that there be close harmony between formation personnel and those engaged in the work of encouraging vocations.
Pre-Novitiate
96. To the young men who show an interest in our way of life, we offer a deepening of their experience of human and Christian life. We help them to come to a knowledge of themselves, to accept themselves, to transcend themselves, and to be converted to the Gospel.
We accompany them and arrange suitable ways and means of making them more sensitive to the Lord's call. We make a discernment with them to see whether they have the qualities and dispositions needed to become Marist Brothers1.
96.1 This pre-novitiate has two stages - a time of enquiry, and a time of postulancy.
96.2 The pre-novitiate is usually made in one's own country. This enables the candidate to remain in contact with his cultural environment, and to be in a position to adapt better to its apostolic needs.
96.3 The candidate must be assured of the conditions necessary for him to make a free and responsible decision.
96.4 The Brother Provincial and his Council can set up centres (juniorates, residences) to prepare aspirants for the postulancy. These will be organised with a view to developing Marist vocations.
96.5 During the postulancy the candidate prepares himself to separate from some aspects of his environment, and experiences some time of community living. At the same time, the Brother directing him helps the postulant's family to understand the Marist vocation.
96.6 The postulancy lasts at least six months.
96.7 The postulancy usually takes place in a house distinct from the novitiate. The Provincial plan determines how it will be organized.
96.8 When the postulancy is made in a community, the Brother Provincial appoints a perpetually-professed Brother to take a more direct charge of the postulants' formation. The other Brothers of the community take an active part in this formation work.
96.9 As the time of the postulancy draws to a close, the candidate writes to the Brother Provincial, giving the motivation for his application for entry into the novitiate. The formation personnel supplement this with a report on the suitablilty of the postulant. Once a favourable reply has been received from the Brother Provincial, the postulant can begin his novitiate. (cf 165.1)
|