Franciscan Capuchins Vocation

LIVE THE DREAM, MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

BECOMING A CAPUCHIN-FRANCISCAN FRIAR

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

We ask of you the following:

  • that you be at least 20 years of age
  • that you have completed high school (diploma or equivalent)
  • that you have either continued your education or have been steadily employed

for at least two years.

  • that you are free of debt
  • that you are considered to be responsible and emotionally mature for your age
  • that you have been a member of the Roman Catholic Church for a minimum of 2 years

and are actively involved in the life of your parish

  • that you have an ardent desire for prayer and to serve God through serving others
  • that you have an evident desire to grow in the faith of the Church while living in a religious community whose principles are rooted in service to the brothers and others while living a life of poverty with the absence of personal property.
  • that you are attracted by and open to the person, ideas and principles of service as exhibited by the life of St Francis of Assisi

 

VOCATION DISCERNMENT DAYS

The Capuchins of Central Canada offer men who are interested in learning more about religious life, a number of Vocation Discernment Days throughout the year.  If you know of a man with a desire to serve God as a Capuchin-Franciscan friar, or are interested in pursuing your own call from God, please contact our Vocation Office!

STAGES OF DISCERNMENT

The Pre-Postulancy Period

This is an informal period of time during which you will become acquainted with life within a community of brothers and service to others as a Capuchin-Franciscan and what this actually means.  This period of time can take several months or longer depending upon your personal discernment process along with the assistance of your Spiritual Director as you determine if you are called to this way of life.

Initially your contact will be by telephone and written correspondence, including a Personal Inventory and will gradually grow into personal contact with the Vocation Director, other friars and exposure to the communal life in brotherhood.  It is in the later stages of discernment where should be an indication whether God is calling you to religious life within the Capuchin-Franciscan Order.  A visit to your home by the Vocation Director to meet you will help him to get to know you on a one to one basis.  Should you along with the Vocation Director feel that you are called and ready for the next stage of discernment you will be invited to submit a written request asking for admission into the Postulancy Program.

The Postulancy Program

This program is the first of three stages in your Initial Formation and is a transitional stage between your previous life in the world and your movement towards life as a Capuchin-Franciscan friar.  It is during this stage that you will experience communal living while continuing to grow in understanding of what it means to live within a community of brothers in service to those around you. Together both you and the friars will determine your ability to live the Capuchin-Franciscan way of life.

In preparation for admission to the Postulancy Program and this process of deeper discernment, the Vocation Director in consultation with the Formation Council will ask you to complete and submit a number of forms and documents by a given date, previous to your admission to the Postulancy Program.

You will be required to submit the following documentation:

  • your Baptism Certificate
  • your Confirmation Certificate
  • your Photo (Passport type, Portrait style)
  • your Curriculum Vitae including Work experience, education and special interests
  • a Letter of Reference from your current or most recent employer
  • a Letter of Reference from your Parish Priest
  • copies of all your Academic Transcripts
  • a written report from any Rector of any previous religious house where you might have spent time in formation
  • completed Dental and Medical reports
  • a Police Background check
  • a Psychological Evaluation, done at the expense of the Capuchin-Franciscan Order

We will ask you to provide an autobiography covering your childhood, adolescence and early adult life to the present time.  We will ask you to share with us your home life, relationships with your parents, siblings, friends and your involvement within the wider community, including your Parish community.  Particular attention should be given to the role your faith has held both in your upbringing and your present life.  Share with us any significant experiences or individuals that have influenced your deepening commitment and desire to join the Capuchin-Franciscans.

Once this has been completed, you are invited to write a letter to the Provincial Minister by a given date in which you should request admission into the Postulancy Program.  You will receive a written response in due course from the Provincial Minister once a decision has been made.

A Postulant is asked NOT to dispose of his possessions or of his bank account / assets as you will be expected to provide for you own needs concerning medical, dental and transportation costs.  We ask that you ensure you have sufficient funds to return home, you also will require a valid Canadian Passport.

The Postulancy Program begins in September and lasts approximately one year of which nine months will be spent in a friary living and experiencing fully the friar’s life within community. It will be during this time that you will be asked to work part-time at a volunteer ministry outside the friary to better determine your commitment and motivation to live a life of service to others.  You will participate fully in all aspects of our fraternal life as a professed community such as prayer, meditation, Eucharist, meals, community celebrations, house chapters and recreation.  You will also meet regularly with the Postulancy Director and participate in various types of informal instruction provided in-house and to attend occasional workshops.  This will be followed by a period of time where you will leave the friary to visit others, your family or to enjoy a short vacation, as well as to reflect upon your experience from the previous nine months.  This time will help your discernment in preparation for the next stage of your journey towards becoming a Capuchin-Franciscan friar.

During the Postulancy Program, the community will evaluate and discern your suitability for Capuchin-Franciscan life and their response will be communicated to you by your Postulancy Director.  You may leave the program at any time of your own accord or you may be asked to leave should your community’s discernment be that life as a Capuchin-Franciscan friar is not your true vocational calling.

In the final stage of the Postulancy Program the community will make recommendations about your entry into the Novitiate Program which will be communicated to your director.  Should you then choose, after reflection upon your Postulancy experience to pursue the Novitiate Program, you will again apply in writing by a given date to the Provincial Minister asking to enter the Novitiate Program.  You will also be asked to sign a release declaring your freedom to enter religious life. Upon acceptance by the Admissions Board and with the permission of the Provincial Minister you will proceed to enter the third stage of your discernment – the Novitiate Program.

The Novitiate Program

The Novitiate Program lasts for one year and is a particular time of intense Capuchin-Franciscan spiritual formation through prayer, spiritual direction, reading and communal living.  During this time the Capuchin-Franciscans will assume all financial support for your needs according to the rules of the life of poverty into which you have entered.  You will be expected to bring with you suitable clothing and other personal items, as well as sufficient funds to enable you to return home should you choose or be asked to leave the program.

Temporary Profession

Upon your successful completion of the Novitiate Program you will then make your profession of simple or temporary vows which are renewed annually.  During this time you will work in the community learning to discover a balance between a life of prayer, ministry and community.  You may also be invited to begin formal studies dependent upon your aptitude and choice of future ministry.

Solemn Profession

Once you have completed the aforementioned stages of discernment it will be time to celebrate your profession of Solemn Vows! Your family and friends will be invited to join together with the friars as we publicly celebrate with you, your Solemn Profession.

Your journey of formation into the Capuchin-Franciscan way of life as a professed friar is now complete.  You will continue to develop the ministry to which you are called or pursue your education for future ministries or perhaps, both!

LIVING THE DREAM, MAKING A DIFFERENCE!