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In the context of religious life, Formation can be seen as that process which leads an individual into full incorporation with the community and to formation in ministry and/or ordination to the priesthood. As with moral and psychological growth, this process involves several stages in which the individual is ultimately incorporated into the community and embraces active participation in its life.
Our goal is to foster the harmonious growth of the candidate into a mature human and Christian person according to the Gospel of Christ and the Apostolic way of life as well as the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order of Premontre.
To this end, the Daylesford Abbey Formation Program makes provision for the development of the candidate’s personal talents and provides opportunity for the gradual exercise of those talents in the service of the Church and the community.
To provide a simple structure of reflection and vocational discernment, the affiliate stage is a time for the candidate to gain a clearer awareness of the fundamental ideals of religious life in general and the Norbertine Order in particular. It is also a time in which the community becomes better acquainted with the candidate.
Entrance into the affiliate stage of formation involves an interview with the Affiliate Director. This interview will provide the Director with information such as family background as well as the individual’s spiritual and psychosexual history. The affiliate normally lives on the grounds of the Daylesford Abbey with the Director and continues to retain his present employment. He is expected to join the Norbertine professed community for daily common prayer and meals. During the period of affiliation, which can last from six months to two years, the individual comes to a sense of whether he is being called to our way of life and to the next step, which is the novitiate.
Novitiate is a two-year program. The first, or canonical year is a time of relative seclusion. Its character is more enclosed, focused and involves a curtailment of outside contacts. Although more experiential than academic, the novitiate is a period in which the Novice begins the process of assimilating a basic foundation and understanding of religious life and specifically Norbertine life.
The goals of the program center around the development of a personal spiritual life, an appreciation for liturgical prayer, an understanding of the tradition of the Norbertine Order, gaining a sense of ministry by simple acts of service as well as continued human and psychosexual growth and development.
During the second year novitiate the candidate continues to build on the values and goals of the first year and resumes full-time academic work to complete his college studies and fulfill requirements for theological studies.
The novitiate thus becomes a time for spiritual growth and personal development that hopefully leads the individual to a comfort in living Norbertine religious life and the desire to move on to first profession.
The period of temporary profession focuses upon continued growth and develop- ment on the part of the candidate as he gradually advances toward full incorporation. At the beginning of this period the candidate will make a profession of the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience for a certain period of time.
The major focus of the candidate’s work during these post-novitiate years will be spent continuing his own education by completing the requirements for a college degree as well as beginning theological studies for ordination or, for a brother candidate, his ministerial focus.
After the passage of a number of years in temporary vows, the candidate and the Community will need to discern if he is to proceed to final or solemn vows. These vows are made for life. The candidate will take solemn vows and thus is incorporated as a permanent and full member of the Norbertine community. During this time he will complete any further educational requirements that he might need for priesthood. For brother candidates, this will continue to be a time for them to fulfill whatever requirements may be necessary for their ministerial role as brothers in our community.
Ordination to diaconate is the step prior to priesthood. The candidate must demonstrate zeal for ordained ministry along with a loyalty to Christ and the Church. The candidate will function as a deacon for a number of months before proceeding to the priesthood. And with ordination to the priesthood, the individual seminarian will be ready to assume his role in service to Christ and His Church.
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