Formation
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Mt. 4:19)
Formation areas
We are aware that each person, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the architect of their own formation. Only in this way can this formation be not only tolerated but internalized in firm and profound convictions, so that this call shapes one’s own history and identity.
Intellectual formation
The challenge of the New Evangelization requires a deep intellectual formation in order to give reason for one's hope and to provide critical and evangelical discernment in the face of cultural pluralism and the various currents and trends that are present both in the world and in the Church.
Apostolic formation
The model for our life is Jesus in his public life; and proclaiming his message is our sole concern and the raison d'être of this Society. Apostolic formation is developed through mature reflection and practical application, and is deeply rooted in a spirit that is the support and driving force behind everything.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual life is understood as relationship and communion with the Father, in Christ, through the Spirit. For consecrated person, spiritual formation constitutes the vital center that unifies and enlivens the different dimensions of their being and their actions.
Human formation
The consecrated person, called to be a “living image” of Jesus Christ, must strive to reflect in himself, as far as possible, that human perfection which shines forth in the Son of God made man and which is revealed with singular effectiveness in his attitudes toward others, as presented to us in the Gospels.
It is essential for consecrated person in emotional maturity is fundamental, which presupposes an awareness of the central place of love in human existence. This requires an education in sexuality that is true and fully personal and that, therefore, fosters esteem and love for chastity.
Formation for
common life
Given our lifestyle, we reaffirm our purpose to live united according to this will of Jesus.
Stages of formation
The goal that unifies the various stages and experiences of initial formation is to train men capable of giving their entire lives to God within our apostolic Society. We bear in mind that it is under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and with the help of others that each person must be the architect of his own formation.
Probacion
Philosophy
Apostolic probacion
Theology
Probacion
Discernment Stage
The purpouse is for the applicant to have an experience of the hidden life of the Lord. “Being with Him” (Mk 3:15), this experience will allow him to have greater certainty of conscience, because he will know that he is where God has called him, and his life will be oriented towards the desire to be with Him in this Society.
Philosophy
Discipleship Stage
The orientation of philosophical and theological studies will be based on the classical realist tradition, which both the Church Fathers and Scholasticism used for the intellectual deepening of the faith.
Apostolic Probacion
In addition, between the Discipleship Stage (Philosophy) and the Formative Stage (Theology), the young man spends two years in a house of the Saint John Society serving in various apostolic assignments, this final period before diaconal ordination gives him the opportunity to calmly synthesize his entire formative journey in view of a definitive commitment, including his previous apostolic experiences.
Apostolic action belongs to the very nature of our Society. For this reason, candidates will receive special apostolic formation, both theoretical and practical.
Theology
Configuration Stage
Our intellectual formation is inspired by the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas, following in this the recommendation of the Magisterium: “Precisely for this reason, the Church has always proposed St. Thomas as a teacher of thought and a model of the correct way to do theology.”
We also draw guidance and inspiration from the writings of Cardinal Saint John Henry Newman, who was noted for his intellectual depth of faith and his ability to engage in dialogue with the culture of his time.
Permanent formation
The unique mission of the priest of the Saint John Society requires him to be a trained and trained man, capable of understanding what is happening in people's lives and providing a timely response to it. This training must continue throughout his life.
Continuing education is organized to integral growth of the individual. It is essential for the life and mission of the Society in the Church and for its proper renewal.
