Vocations - Entrance Requirements
IT'S
MORE THAN A CHANGE OF HABIT, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!
MUST BE A BAPTIZED PRACTICING CATHOLIC
RECEIVES
THE SACRAMENTS FREQUENTLY
A
DESIRE TO SERVE CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE
Admission To Our Franciscan Formation Program
The minimum age for acceptance into our formation program
is twenty-one years of age. An applicant is accepted to the formation program by the
Minister Provincial upon recommendation by the Admissions Committee. This recommendation
attests that the applicant shows signs of a true vocation and appears to be capable of
profiting from entrance into a structured formation program at this time.
Among the vocation signs considered by the Admissions Committee are the following:
I. Educational Development
The applicant must have spent his time productively between the completion of high
school and admission to our community. This may involve further education, job training,
or meaningful employment.
Applicants for priesthood must show the ability to complete the required studies.
Applicants for the brotherhood must be able to attain certified skills or academic
degrees.
II. Religious Development
The candidate must possess a personal faith in God and a
call to serve in His Church.
The applicant's relationship with God should be characterized by stability, growth and
maturity. The applicant should have a reasonably-developed understanding of Christian
doctrine and morality and an awareness of the life and mission of the Church today.
III. Moral Development
An applicant must be capable of transcending some of the cultural and moral values in
which he has lived. Christian moral values must be rooted in his character and he must possess personal integrity necessary
to live out the Gospel values.
IV. Motivation
The desire to live the Franciscan religious life is an important element of an
applicant's vocation. His capacity for ongoing conversion and productive service within
religious life initially stems from this desire.
V. Capacity For Service
From its origins, Franciscan life has been oriented toward Gospel witness and apostolic
service. The applicant should be capable of rendering such service and becoming a
productive member of an apostolate currently served by the province.
VI. Human Development
Religious formation builds upon human maturity. Signs of such maturity in an applicant
include an appropriate degree of personal autonomy and self-direction, healthy emotional
development, a secure masculine identity and the capacity for rewarding interpersonal
relationships.
VII. Physical Health
The applicant should be in good health and free from
chronic ailments. Physical handicaps are not impediments to acceptance, unless they
interfere with community life or preclude apostolic service.
VIII. Financial Independence
An individual who has heavy debts, business obligations, or family duties should delay
admission until these matters are resolved.
When loans for previous academic programs come due during the pre-novitiate year and
cannot be satisfied by the individual, the province will assume these payments in the form
of a loan to the candidate.
Once the individual enters the novitiate, the province will make payments on loans when
they become due for as long as a person remains a member of the province.
IX. Thinking It Over...
The primary concern of every Christian should be to live in imitation of Christ, who
became human not only to redeem us but to manifest the Father.
This conversion is the beginning of real participation in Christ's passage from death
to life. It is a profound change of heart which manifests itself in the relationships of
Christians for one another. This conversion means saying YES to the Gospel message.
The Franciscan Friars, TOR provide the opportunity for men to say YES to God. As
a priest or brother, you can touch the world with divine grace, help heal the wounds of
the human family, and bring life to all people in the name of Jesus Christ who fully
brought life to us.
NO
ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF FINANCES.
We recognize that each man comes from different circumstances and we adjust accordingly;
however Canon Law does make it clear that no one can make vows, if they have an
outstanding debt. Prior to Novitiate, during the Candidacy Period, we assume cost for
housing, food, school and transportation (excluding travel home). We ask the Candidate to
assume his own cost for personal expenses, recreational activities and to have sufficient
funds to return home for vacation and/or in case of an emergency. DO NOT let
finances dissuade you from pursuing your vocation with us, please talk to us.
CALL
Toll Free: 1-800-2200TOR
Fr. Pat Foley, T.O.R.
Vocation Director
St.
Bridget Friary
3811 Emerson Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55412
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