Greetings! Thanks for wanting to know more about the steps involved in becoming a Redemptorist.

Your call by God is sacred. Your vocation is a unique relationship with God lived out in a particular lifestyle. Therefore, when it comes to helping you develop your vocation, every care is used to nurture and bring to fruition the life God has in store. We deeply respect what God is calling you to and not what we would like to see happen. It may be that your journey will eventually see you become a priest for a diocese or belong to another religious group or to marriage. That's why the time of formation takes a little longer. So welcome to an outline of the steps involved.

1.Jesus said: "What are you looking for" (Jn.l:38)

It is important that an inquirer has a look at our lifestyle and work to see who we really are. The inquirer may come for a series of weekends to explore how Redemptorists live and work. This enables him to find the questions he needs to ask and to develop some sense of belonging or not belonging. This is a good time to get a "feel" for the Redemptorists. Of course, at this initial stage, an inquirer is not expected to make a final decision about his future. Nor is it advisable to do so. Such a decision requires a more prolonged experience with Redemptorists.

That's why some inquirers choose to become Aspirants. An aspirant decides to live with the Redemptorists for about a year, experiencing their life and work a little more in-depth than is possible for an inquirer. It is an opportunity not only to get to know Redemptorists better, but also for Redemptorists to get to know the aspirant better and to gauge his suitability for the Redemptorist way of life and the next step of entry which is postulancy. This is a time for the aspirant to continue his secular study or work whilst specially focussing on deepening his commitment to Jesus and to his Catholic faith. This is also a special time for continuing to grow as a person to a greater human maturity.

During this time, the inquirer/aspirant is invited to begin a time of accompaniment with the Vocation Minister, a monthly meeting to talk over life and the issues the inquirer/aspirant may be dealing with. At the end of a reasonable period of time, the inquirer/aspirant advises the Vocation Minister that he wishes to begin Postulancy.  

2. "Come and see and stay awhile" (Jn.l:39)

The inquirer/aspirant is now invited to live not only full time in community, but to share in its prayer, work and community life.

Normally, this is for twelve months, where the postulant lives and breathes and studies closely the charism of being a Redemptorist. No commitment is asked during this time. A flexible programme is worked out in conjunction with the postulant which leaves him plenty of room to explore all his options.

The postulant will begin some preliminary theology and scripture study. Or he may use the year to complete his HSC or equivalent. The postulant is invited to continue his accompaniment with a suitable person in the community.  

3. "Make my word your home." (Jn.8:31)  

At the end of twelve months, the postulant asks to become a Novice, or beginner. This is a period of 12-18 months, where the Novice is accompanied by a special Redemptorist to grow into the charism of St. Alphonsus, through deeper prayer, study and ministry. It is an intense year of growing into a belonging to the life and work of the Redemptorists, where a life long pattern of prayer can be developed and one's spirituality deepened.

The Novice is invited to enter into all the experiences of being a Redemptorist in the company of his novice Director. This is very much a personal year of challenge, growth, exploration and deeper discernment, particularly in the area of deciding to be a Redemptorist Priest or Brother.

4. "Take up my yoke and learn from me" (Matt.12:28)

The Novice asks to profess his temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for one year to indicate publicly that he has a sense of belonging and wishes to continue discerning his vocation as a Redemptorist. He can renew his vows each year for up to five years.

He is now a Student and enters into a five year programme of study and ministry. During this time he studies towards a B.Theol and has the opportunity to explore other avenues of related study - pastoral care, counselling, music, etc. One of these five years is taken up on full time ministry, where he joins another community to live and work. During each of these five years he continues a personal accompaniment with a Redemptorist skilled in helping him to continue his discernment.

YTU - Yarra Theological Union (Tertiary institution Redemptorists attend for their 5 year study programme).

5. Take up your Cross and follow me" (Lk.9:23)

Sometime after 3 years (often after 5-6), the student seems to know if the Redemptorists are for him, if in fact this is where he is meant to be. So in conjunction with his accompanier, he asks to become a fully committed member of Congregation. This ceremony is called Perpetual Profession, during which he publicly states that God has given him a belonging, that his life and ministry belong with the Redemptorists. As you can see, this moment is the fruit of a wholesome process of discernment. It is a high point in his life which takes time to prepare for.

Now fully committed as a Redemptorist, he begins to use his gifts as fully as he can in the service of the Kingdom. A little more study remains before ordination to the priesthood.

6."Take and eat: This is my Body" (Mt.26:26)

For those wishing to be a Priest, the student after his Perpetual Profession - prepares for Ordination, first as a Deacon, then as a Priest. As a Deacon, he is usually assigned to a parish for 6-9 months and the prepares for ordination usually in his home town. After ordination, he is invited to join a community to pursue his life's work

7. "Come apart and rest awhile" (Mk.6:31)  

Throughout his life, the Redemptorist will have the experience of travelling the length and breadth of Australia. Some five years after ordination or Perpetual Profession, each Redemptorist is invited to update himself in areas such as theology, spiritual direction, scripture, liturgy, counselling, pastoral care, preaching etc. A year away from his normal ministry will enable him to have time for himself, to keep abreast of the times and develop more and more skills in a wide range of areas. He may venture overseas if courses are not available in Australia.

Conclusion

Formation is a way of affirming, clarifying and developing all the potential God has given us. These are just the initial stages. It continues all our life. We don't believe anything is lost by having a look and asking for help to discern where God is calling you. To know that, as best we can, is to find a peace that energises us into using our life and our gifts for others.

We wish you God's Blessings, The Redemptorists