Stages of Formation
"To discover the will of God is simple and complicated, bright and dark, painful and pleasant, natural and wonderful
at the same time according to circumstances. And so we must no be simplistic, but neither should we get involved in
exasperating and tormenting uncertainty. Rather we have to be prudent, to examine ourselves, to pray and seek advice and then make a decision in faith."
Blessed Fr. James Alberione
The first stage of formation is called: "Postulancy."
The development and stability of the Institute depends greatly on a careful selection of candidates and so a period
of postulancy is necessary.
Potential members of the Institute must be Catholic , able to carry out Institute work having a right intention and a sincere desire to attain perfect charity by following the practice of the Evangelical Counsels and permanently dedicating his life to the apostolate.
Postulancy is for a period of at least six months.
The next stage is "Novitiate."
Institute life begins with the Novitiate whose purpose is to ensure that the novices:
become aware of their divine vocation
get accustomed to the Institute lifestyle and its special apostolate
are examined in regards to their suitability and real intentions
The one responsible for the formation of the novices is the Provincial Delegate. He can be aided by a member of the group who is distinguished for prudence, charity, and piety, so as to carry out worthily his delicate educative mission.
On his entrance to the Novitiate and after a course of Spiritual Exercises promoted by the Institute the novice will receive a copy of the statutes, so that having carefully examined it he can see if he is in the will of God.
During the novitiate the novice everday:
will take part in the Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass
will meditate on the Word of God and on the Founders writings
will pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning and Evening Prayer)
will recite the Holy Rosary
will make the Visit to the Blessed Sacrament
will make an examination of conscience to better understand himself and his relationship with God
During the month:
will receive at least twice the Sacrament of Reconciiliation
will study more deeply the documents of the Magisterium of the Church
will take part in the Day of Recollection
will allow time for study
will submit to the Provincial Delegate a report on how his formative journey is going
The time of Novitiate is calculated the moment the novices are registered in the Novitiate Register and it lasts
for two years.
For special reasons it may be prolonged by the Provincial Delegate but not for more than one year.
"Temporary Profession" of the Evangelical Cousels
For the first three years the Evangelical Counsels are professed annually.
Then they are professed for a two-year period.
For particular reasons the Superior General of the Society of St. Paul may prolong the period of Temporary
Profession for another two years.
Members who have made temporary profession of the Evangelical Counsels are free to renew their profession or not. If they do not desire to renew them they should convey this in writing to the Provincial Delegate at least two monts before their commitment is due to expire.
At this stage for just reasons the member may not be allowed to renew the Evangelical Counsels by the Provincial Superior or be admitted to "Perpetual Profession."
If the member is approved and accepted after Temporary Profession the member will then be accepted to
Final Profession.
Finally "Perpetual Profession"
After the period of Temporary Profession is complete and the member is accepted to final profession, the member then completes his formational journey by his "Perpetual Profession."
"According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one
can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ."
Saint Paul in his first Letter to the Corinthians 3:10-11
