Formation

The goal of formation ministry, a ministry of St. Anthony of Padua Province performed not only for the good of the Church but for its own good, is to nurture vocations to the Franciscan way of life while providing those who respond to God's call the necessary formation needed for religious life and the specialized training that will be needed for service in the Church.

The formation ministry of the Province has four stages. The first stage is our Vocation Program, with offices located in Baltimore, MD. This program is responsible for encouraging and nurturing vocations to the Franciscan life. The Vocation Director maintains communication with interested men and assists them in their discernment process. The second stage, Postulancy Program, located at St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in Ellicott City, MD, is a one-year period, during which men who feel called to the Franciscan life have the opportunity to experience the life of the friars and further discern God's call. At the end of Postulancy each candidate applies for acceptance into the Novitiate Program.

The Novitiate Program, located in Mishawaka, IN, is the third stage in the formation process. The Novitiate year is a period of retreat from the world during which novices delve into the theology of religious vows, the history and spirituality of the Franciscan Order, and the life of prayer and contemplation. This period of formation ends with the profession of (temporary) Simple Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The fourth and final stage of initial formation is the Post-Novitiate Program, located in Silver Spring, MD. During this time, which can be anywhere from two to five years, the friar pursues the necessary studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, to prepare him for the ministry he will undertake. During the years of the Post-Novitiate the friar also discerns his readiness for solemn vows, deaconate and priesthood. During Post-Novitiate there is usually a year of apostolate, either as an educator or in some other form of ministry, giving guidance and self-assurance before the step of profession of (perpetual) Solemn Vows.

Formation as a friar and as a minister of the Gospel does not end with profession of Solemn Vows. Formation is a life-long process and the Province of St. Anthony of Padua provides its friars with on-going formation which allows each friar to grow in his spiritual and ministerial life.

For more information, please explore the sites listed below:

Vocation Program

Novitiate

View Vocation Stories from professed friars as well as friars in formation.

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