Formation Process

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF BR. MICHAEL EGUINO

YOU ARE INVITED

 

The very first stage is Candidacy. During this time (which varies for each person), candidates live with a Salesian community with the intent of coming to a decision about making a more mature option for Salesian life as a priest or brother. The candidate participates in the prayer and apostolic life of the community. It is also common for candidates in this phase to take some college coursework if they are in need of such.
A more formal year is that of Pre-novitiate, the next phase of formation. The focus in this stage is growth in knowledge of self. In this phase, which usually begins each August, pre-novices follow a specific program of study in the Salesian Formation House, taking courses taught by Salesian priests and brothers. The over all goal is to adequately prepare them for the novitiate.

 

The Novitiate is truly the beginning of the Salesian religious experience in following Christ. The purpose of this year is to give the novices a greater understanding of their divine vocation, specifically their vocation to Salesian life. Here the novice verifies his suitability for Salesian life and prepares to give himself completely to God knowingly and freely in his first profession, which takes place at the end of this year. He promises to live in community and work with the young in the footsteps of the obedient, poor and chaste Christ.

An individual who makes the first profession mentioned above is now a religious brother. Some brothers (called clerical brothers) will later study to become priests. For others brotherhood is their unique vocation. These men are called coadjutor brothers. In the Salesian Society, brothers and priests live and work together in a common mission to young people.

  

In Post-novitiate all brothers usually complete whatever further university education is required. Afterwards, they will work in a Salesian school, parish or youth center for a period of two or three years. This phase is called practical training.

Following Practical Training are four years of Theological Study for clerical brothers. Coadjutor brothers may complete additional schooling or continue to live and work as a Salesian. Final profession (marking permanent acceptance into the society) ordinarily takes place six years after first profession.