The entire formation programme in Marianella is a training for ministry: study, common and personal prayer, living and growing in community.

From the beginning, emphasis is placed on speech-training and voice production, essential skills for the future preacher.

Students are trained to read in public and learn how to prepare and organise liturgical celebrations. They are also encouraged to develop skills which may be of help in future ministry, such as computing, musical talent, or the learning of a language.

Students are also urged and encouraged to involve themselves in ministry through experience of the apostolate. This, obviously, has to be limited because of other commitments. Through involvement in ministry we become aware of the situation in which people live, of their needs and wants, how they think and what their expectations are.

We also learn to deal with different people as individuals and groups, through listening, being concerned and involving ourselves some way in their situation. This is a personal challenge to each student to develop values, attitudes and skills that will enable him eventually to become more effective in ministering to the people among whom he will live and work. This involvement in the apostolate is an initial training in ministry. Commitment to whatever has been undertaken is essential even though it may be experienced as difficult and unrewarding.

STAGE 1

DETAILS / STUDY / PRAYER / COMMUNITY/ MINISTRY

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

SKILLS

TRAVEL

WORK

SUMMARY

One night each week, or a few hours during the weekend, is the time recommended for pastoral work. If possible, students will be encouraged to involve themselves in, and experience, the main Redemptorist apostolates such as school retreats, Novenas or Missions. If a student is to learn from the experience of ministry, ongoing reflection on what he is doing is very important.

There is always an opportunity for reflecting on and accounting for what a student is doing at the regular meeting with the Director of Formation.