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NOVITIATE YEAR: SPIRITUAL GROWTH
"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert...being put to the test." Lk. 4:1 Some religious have said that the novitiate year is the most important time in the formative process. We must be careful, however, not to build up undue expectations concerning what must or should occur during that time. Novitiate is a time of greater freedom to experience the community more intensely and to grow in appreciation for our apostolate to the sick. During the novitiate year, the novice must come to experience himself in relation to the community. It is not possible to create an experience of this type. Quite possibly, some will have had this experience before the canonical novitiate; others will have it after the novitiate is over. Nevertheless, the Novitiate should be the form in which one can begin to deal with his future as a religious. He must be free to doubt, question, and critically appraise the community and his place within it. Our present novitiate program seeks to provide this freedom, but the novice himself can best evaluate its contribution to his growth. The novitiate year is a time of spiritual rebirth; a time when the novice is given the opportunity to grasp a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Camillian. The purpose of the Novitiate is to supply opportunities:
Novitiate as a Time of Spiritual Rebirth The most fundamental dimension of Novitiate is the development or strengthening of the spiritual life. This remains one of the cornerstones of the life, growth, and health of the religious. Experiences of prayer and the study of the theology and spirituality of religious life go together to establish the identity of the religious and his call. Particularly in very active apostolic orders like our own, the emphasis is on the apostolate and it can lead to a diminished spiritual life for the religious. The Novitiate is a time when prayer, reflection, contemplation and study are integrated to nourish the inner self of the religious. A Camillian Identity The understanding of the charism and the structure of the Order are achieved through study and discussion. The role of the vows, particularly our fourth vow to take care of the sick, are studied in depth. The life and person of St. Camillus de Lellis, the history of the early Camillian community, and the history of the Camillian Order within the United States connect the novice with the tradition that he is embracing. The study of the constitution and by-laws in the context of canon law (as it pertains to religious life) give the novice a sense of order and structure. The study of Camillian spirituality and its relationship to other spiritualities completes the spiritual identity of the novice. Other areas of study can include the history of religious life and fundamental questions of faith. A Time for Ministry The main focus of the Novitiate is not to perform ministry. Yet, as a Camillian, it cannot be solely devoted to study and reflection. The living out of the spirituality and of the fourth vow is an integral part of the novitiate. For some, it is an opportunity to discover new areas of ministry. Through volunteer work, the novice can be involved with the poor, the homeless, those in prison, as well as the sick. These people become the novice's teachers about the harsh realities that they face. The Milwaukee area and our Wauwatosa campus provide opportunities for diverse ministries, should the novitiate take place in the United States. Community Life The Novitiate provides a special setting for the experience of community life. The stability of the novitiate environment, its more structured schedule of prayer, study and other activities, the restriction of the novices to the novitiate site for most of their time, creates the setting for what can be a rewarding community life. The novice learns to build community, applying the knowledge gained in the pre-novitiate on community dynamics. Admission to Vows With the end of the Novitiate, the novice may, after prayerful discernment, request to be admitted to vows. The director of novices forwards this request with his evaluation to the provincial superior. The novice admitted to vows will undergo a preparatory retreat before making his profession.
TEMPORARY VOWS: PREPARING FOR THE TOTAL
LIFE COMMITMENT
"Jesus sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal." Lk. 9:2 The period of temporary profession provides time and space for integrating values, experiences from the earlier stages of formation. Temporary vows are designed to prepare a member of the community for perpetual profession and total life commitment. The temporary profession is a time of final discernment. From this perspective, through reflection, prayer, studies, ministry, community life and spiritual direction, the temporarily professed weighs the decision to request final profession which gives the Camillian full privileges within the Order. This period lasts three to six years normally and in some cases up to nine years. It provides the opportunity to complete identification with the Order and the province. When the discernment is completed, the temporary professed, ready to make a final commitment, makes the request for final profession to the provincial superior. A Time of Ministerial Formation For those men who feel called to the ministerial priesthood, this is the time of active and intensive studies and spiritual formation, scheduled over a period of three to six years, depending on the person's previous academic background. Two seminaries are available in Milwaukee: Sacred Heart School of Theology for delayed vocations and the archdiocesan seminary, St. Francis de Sales. Sacred Heart School of Theology has a joint program with Cardinal Stritch College for men who have not completed an undergraduate degree. There has also been an opportunity to study in Rome. For the men who feel called to serve as brothers, they are required to take some theological studies to assist them in their personal growth and in their ministry, but they do not have to engage in a degree program. Depending on their skills, background and interests, they may engage in studies that will provide them with professional degrees in nursing, counseling, social work, pastoral care and other fields related to health care. Those who join the Order with their professional background already established can return to professional activities and service after their temporary vows. The amount of time that they will devote to professional services (one quarter, one half, three quarter time) will be determined by their participation in the formation program, in pastoral training, and in their collaboration in other projects within the Order. The period of training is primarily focused on the holistic formation of a religious. (There is a secondary and important focus on health care professional development.) This primary focus includes the spiritual, psychological and social aspects. It should provide the religious with exposure to the poor, to the marginalized and to other areas of ministry in order to augment the breadth of the religious' capacity for ministry. This could include some mission experiences. As part of the formation program for ministry, we include Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). A minimum of two units are required for each temporarily professed. Certification as a chaplain requires four units of CPE. This type of training has been used by the Order to prepare its members for spiritual and emotional assistance to the sick. This province has been a pioneer in extending CPE opportunities to other provinces. Community Life The temporarily professed member participates fully in the life of the local community. Where possible, the temporarily professed assists the community by earning a salary or stipend to help shoulder the cost of the life of the community. The temporarily professed will be entrusted with responsibilities in the local community. At the provincial level, the temporarily professed takes part in provincial events and activities. In official provincial meetings, the temporarily professed has a voice; only permanently professed can vote. The temporarily professed lives fully the vow of poverty, sharing all in common with his brothers. The province is responsible for meeting all his financial needs. The temporarily professed is under the authority of the local superior and also answers to his formation director for what pertains to his formation program. The Spiritual Formation The temporarily professed continues to develop his spiritual life in both a personal and communal manner. With the help of his spiritual director, he develops a prayer life and personal spirituality, and engages in spiritual readings. With the help of his formation director, he continues to develop his identity as a Camillian and integrates Camillian spirituality into his own spirituality. He also deepens his knowledge of religious life and how religious life is evolving in the life of the Church. He integrates into his identity and spirituality those dimensions of the ordained priest or health care provider to which he is working. The Journey of Temporary Profession This stage of the formation journey begins after the novitiate, with the first profession. At present, vows are taken for a period of one year, to serve the sick even at the risk of our own lives in chastity, poverty and obedience. Vows are renewed on a yearly basis for up to six years. After three years of temporary vows, a religious may request to make his final profession. Toward the end of the Novitiate, the novice discusses with the novice director the choices that he would like to make: to train and work as a brother in a specified field of health or to study for ordination, in order to serve the province and its ministries. From this point on, a program of study and formation will be developed and proposed to the Admissions and Formation Committee for review and recommendations. This program may be amended or modified as new experiences and discernment dictate. Ongoing Formation The formation program for temporarily professed is not the end of formation as a religious. On-going formation continues after final vows and ordination. A religious must continue to be formed spiritually and professionally throughout his career and religious commitment. If you would like to obtain more information about the Camillians, our life and our ministries, of if you want assistance discerning your thoughts about a vocation, send us an e-mail by clicking on a link below or send the form found on the “Contact Us” link.
The Choice of Vocation: A Challenge Discerning God’s call in your life - discerning how you can best serve both God and humanity – is sometimes difficult in the complex world in which we live and especially in the healthcare world today. We believe that God calls many to serve as brothers and priests in religious communities like our own. To enter a religious community, to give your life entirely to God’s service, is a big step to take. There are no easy answers in reaching a final decision. It is ultimately an act – and usually a leap – of faith. And ultimately, one must decide for himself in a personal encounter with God. Every person born into this world has a vocation to holiness. It is each individual’s mission to discover the unique way in which he is “to follow.” “You did not choose me, no, I chose you (Jn. 15:16). It is the Lord who calls and chooses us. We invite you to join us in this enterprise of love for the sick and suffering. While the process of discernment is often not without a struggle, it is not complicated. Basically, there are four steps: GET TO KNOW YOURSELF Know your likes and dislikes, your fears and your dreams, your hopes and your interests, your strengths and your limitations. One way to look at a call from the Lord is to see Him acting all through your life. God created you with a unique personality, and allowed you to experience a personal history. Your personality and personal history are part of your call. Let the Lord speak to you through your various life experiences. It might be helpful for you to keep a journal to record your feelings over a period of time. Reflect on any changes in your feelings and ideas. Another road to self-discovery is to develop a relationship with a spiritual director or someone else whom you trust and who can be objective with you. Get to know yourself. STEP 2 BE IN TOUCH WITH THE LORD Develop a life of prayer, not just in times of crisis, but regularly. No relationship develops between persons unless they listen to each other. Learn to listen to the Lord in prayer and talk to Him. Spend time with Him, listen to Him, be honest with Him as you would with your best friend. God is active in every aspect of your life. The better you come to know the Lord, the more you will be able to perceive God at work in your life and where He is inviting you. STEP 3 MAKE A DECISION As you get to know yourself more and your relationship with the Lord prayerfully gather the facts about your decision. Consider options and alternatives. Write out the pros and cons of each alternative. Try to project what effect each alternative will have on you in the present and in the future. In considering Religious Life, search out information about various Religious communities, their work and their lifestyle. Consider other careers which may fit you. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Talk to priests, sisters, brothers, permanent deacons, active lay people and to folks in other walks of life. Visit some religious communities. Try to see yourself as a priest, brother, sister ten years from now and as a married person with a family ten years from now. Which seems to best fit you? As you gather the facts for the alternative life choices open to you, be particularly attentive to your feelings. If you have been open and honest with yourself in Step 1 and with the Lord in Step 2, you can trust your feelings. Choose what appears is best for you and what God is calling you to. STEP 4 CONFIRM YOUR DECISION After you have made your decision, spend time in prayer for an extended period to see if the decision still seems right. If it is, there would normally be a continuation of inner peace and satisfaction. This period of confirmation should go on for some time, several weeks or more, to be sure that the peace you feel is true peace and serenity and not simply the relief that follows making a difficult decision. Confirm your decision by sharing it with your spiritual director or with others, especially those who may have accompanied you during your discernment process. Trust yourself, your decision and that the Lord who led you yesterday and today will lead you tomorrow and all the days of your life. Perhaps you will want to reflect on the Word of God as part of your prayer and discernment. You may find these passages helpful in meditating on call, vocation and life choices.
You might want to read the prayers which follow. At Evening Prayer each day, the members of the Community conclude with this prayer. We invite you to join with us in this simple prayer. A vocation begins with God’s invitation, but it develops out of our response. Is God calling you? “At the close of this day, we give thanks to God, asking for continuous blessing upon us. Praise be to God, our Father and to the Lord, Jesus Christ, who stretched out his arms from the cross, saying to our father Camillus, ‘This is my work, not yours'. As our founder was endowed with the fullness of charity for his vocation, so we also hope to be worthy laborers in the mystical vineyard of our God, never ceasing to enkindle the fire of God’s love in every human heart. May we be joined by many more who will follow in the footsteps of St. Camillus as his worthy and faithful sons and daughters.” A Prayer for Discernment Lord, while I trust that you are leading me and I know that You love me, I am sometimes overwhelmed or uncertain about my future and am unsure about where I am headed. I know that there is a plan for me and a mission for me that is not exactly like any other. Lead me forward one day at a time. Open my heart as I continue to search, to discover the choices, to listen to others, and to pay attention to my own feelings. I trust that in Your time I will hear Your call to a direction, to a lifestyle, that will let me love others and serve You in the best way I can, using the special gifts You have given me. I know Lord, that You who took care of me yesterday and today and will take care of me all the days of my life. In You is my hope. Amen. |
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