Fr. Christopher Gibson, CP, gives an overview of different aspects of vocational discernment.
What can I expect when I inquire about becoming a religious in the Passionist Community?
You can expect a response and the beginning of a mutual search for clarity to see if you are suited to be a Passionist and if we are the community for you. Our first desire is to get to know you, who you are, and what life has been about for you up until now. We call this Initial Discernment.
When it is clear that you and the Passionist community want to further this vocation journey, then you will be given a vocation mentor who will be willing to walk with you on your vocation discernment journey: to clarify and challenge, to confront and comfort, to purify and affirm your calling. This is called Formal Discernment.
If a person has all the signs of a Passionist vocation, the Passionist mentor will welcome him into one of our communities so that this vocation prospect will take the next step in his vocation journey. We call this Residency.
The next step is Novitiate, which is a year-long preparation for making vows as a Passionist. Both U.S. provinces (Holy Cross Province and St. Paul of the Cross Province) participate in the Novitiate process.
After Novitiate, the candidate becomes a vowed member of the Passionist Community and begins studies at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago in preparation for ministry. Both brothers and those discerning a vocation to the priesthood complete theological studies at CTU.
Holy Cross Province does not itself provide opportunities for women’s religious discernment. Women who are interested in becoming a Passionist nun or sister will be given the addresses of the various women’s Passionist religious communities. Many of these communities are contemplatives.
In the meantime:
- Be active within a faith community, such as your parish.
- Find a good spiritual director. It is important that you have good direction at this time.
- Take time to pray and journal. Look for prayer experiences that nourish you.
- Get to know Passionists. Make plans to visit Passionist Communities and Passionist ministries.
- Read as much as you can about discernment and about our Passionist way of life. Ask your spiritual director for recommendations or visit our web site.
- Be faithful to your own spiritual journey and to your prayer life.
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