A Pastoral Year. The final year will be a pastoral year. The exact modality of this will be established by the Formation Secretariat.


Immediate Preparation for Final Profession: This work has been going on for the previous five or so years and is but a continuation of what was imparted in the Novitiate. More immediately, in this final year the students prepare to make a definitive commitment of their lives to Christ in the Congregation through final vows.

Final Profession is a serious life-long commitment to follow Christ in a more radical manner by means of the evangelical counsels. At the same time it is a decision to live in the Redemptorist Congregation in full agreement with its purpose and its spirit. It is not a decision to be taken lightly. Therefore, this year is a time when students will try to deepen their appreciation of the religious way of life, the practical implications of evangelical chastity, poverty and obedience, the implications of community living and the serious unconditional nature of the commitment of Final Vows in the Congregation.

The procedure established by the EPC on April 30th, 1999 in the decision-making process for Final Profession will be followed. The Final Profession itself will be preceded by a month of more intensive preparation, involving a retreat, directed spiritual reading, conferences, sharing and colloquia.

STAGE 1

DETAILS / STUDY / PRAYER / COMMUNITY/ MINISTRY

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

MICE / FINAL YEAR

SKILLS

TRAVEL

WORK

SUMMARY

Ordination to Diaconate: Preparation for ordination (if relevant) has also been taking place in many ways from the beginning of Phase Three of the formation programme as described above. It includes the study of sacred scripture and theology in its various branches, the acquisition of various ministerial and pastoral skills, the MICE programme, pastoral work, the deepening of the spiritual life through prayer, retreats, spiritual direction and so on. In fact, this preparation for priestly ministry will continue after the student leaves the studentate.

The Diaconate is conferred in April/May so that the student will have six months in which to exercise this sacred ministry before receiving the order of Priesthood. Because Ordination to the Priesthood and Final Profession occur in the same year no further report will be needed by the Provincial before allowing the candidate to proceed to Diaconate and Priesthood.

The Ordination to Priesthood itself is preceded by a retreat of six days and takes place in October.