Viatorian Formation
steps to prepare an accepted applicant for religious lifePre-Novitiate
a gradual introduction
to religious life through
ministry and community
Novitiate
an intensive exploration
of your life of prayer
and of religious vows
Temporary Vows
3-year periods of
professed living in poverty,
chastity, and obedience
Continuing Studies
Advanced degrees
in professional fields
or theological studies
Pre-Novitiate
A pre-novice lives in a Viatorian house and works with our professed men in a Viatorian sponsored ministry.
The purpose of the program is to provide the candidate with a gradual introduction to Christian communal living experience. During this time, the pre-novice can get to know the community better and discern his vocation with the assistance of a formation director.
The length of the program is typically one year but determined by individual need. The structure is deliberately flexible to provide for the varying needs of men with varying life experience, work experience, and educational attainment.
The Viatorian Vocation Team works with congregation leadership to prepare a formation plan for the pre-novice.
Presently, Fr. John Eustice, CSV (left) serves as Director of Pre-Novices.
Novitiate
The Novitiate is the most important period of formation. It introduces the novice to a deeper experience of prayer, community living, and the dynamics of individual growth and development. It also provides him with some apostolic experience and guides him in his study of scripture, spirituality, traditions of the congregation, and the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Under the guidance of the novice master, the novice more deeply reflects upon his relationship with God and his decision to live vowed life as a Viatorian.
Novices are considered members of the Viatorian Community, and they are called “Brother.”
The Novitiate is a one-year program.
Temporary Vows
Upon completion of Novitiate, the brother may request to profess the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for a three-year period, sometimes called “first vows.” Temporary vows may be renewed after this initial period, or the candidate may then request permanent/perpetual vows.
During temporary vows, the Brother is given the time, training, environment, and experience he needs to make a lifelong commitment as a Viatorian. If he intends to continue as a Viatorian brother, he begins advanced studies that best suit his and the Community’s needs. If he desires to become a Viatorian priest, he may request to begin his theological studies.
Brothers may also choose to live and work as brothers indefinitely, perhaps discerning an invitation to priesthood later in religious life or desiring to be a brother for life.
Advanced Studies
If a brother discerns an invitation from God to become a priest, he would undertake graduate theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. It normally takes four years to fulfill the requirements for priesthood. This includes earning a three-year Masters of Divinity degree (M.Div) and ordination to the transitional diaconate, ordinarily at the end the spring semester of the third year to allow one year of diaconal ministry. Viatorians must profess perpetual vows before ordination.
Viatorian Brothers who discern God’s invitation to continue as brothers often complete a certificate and/or graduate degree program in theology, ministry, or another academic area or professional discipline that strengthens their ministry. Brothers can discern temporary vow renewal and pereptual profession while undertaking studies.