North American Initiation Formation Program

Contact - The Contact Program is a phase of application and formation during which time a man comes into contact with the Congregation and we with him. It is a non-committal vocation program, under the direction of the North American Vocation Promoters, for high school students, college students, and older aspirants interested in the Christian Brothers.

Candidacy - The Candidacy Program is the initial phase of formation of the North American Provinces of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Its purpose is to enable the Candidate to grow in prayer, in the knowledge of how God works in his life and in his relationship to the Church. In addition, it helps the Candidate become acquainted with the spirit of the North American Provinces and the Congregation. *

Residency - The Residency Program follows the Candidacy Program. There are two distinct phases of Residency: *

Phase One: Formation Community Residency - a live-in experience to take place in the Waterford Formation Community in Mt. Vernon, NY for college students and older aspirants interested in the Christian Brothers. The WFC serves as the North American pre-Novitiate community.

Phase Two: Mission Community Residency - a live-in experience to take place in a local Brothers' mission community following the Waterford Formation Community experience. In order to move from the Waterford Formation Community Residency to the Mission Community Residency the individual must have completed his college studies.

The purpose of both phases of Residency is to assist the Resident to grow in the Christian life in a community setting, as well as to enhance the Resident's prayer life. During Residency, the Resident is invited to share in the apostolic activity of the Brothers.

Novitiate - The Canonical Novitiate takes place in Chicago, IL under the supervision of the North American Novice Director. The purpose of the Novitiate is to encourage and foster the Novice's personal growth within the context of the Congregation. Participation in the Chicago area InterCommunity Novitiate Program, theological study and reflection at Catholic Theological Union, and an experience in the developing world will all serve to enhance the Novitiate year.

Annually Professed - Initial Formation continues for the Annually Professed Brother during the period of annual vows prior to final vows. The purpose of the Annually Professed Program is to assist the Annually Professed Brother in his continued discernment of God's plan for him in his call to mission in the Church. The program allows for collaboration among the Annually Professed Brother, the local community, and the Director in Initial Formation. *

* The Candidacy, Residency, and Annually Professed Programs take place under the supervision of the North American Initial Formation Director.

For More Information

Br. Peter L. O'Loughlin, CFC
Formation Office
Callan Novitiate
5120 South Kimbark Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615-3910
ologhlin.peter@gmail.com
www.cfcvocations.org