In
September 2007, the Spiritans opened a new community house in
southwestern Scarborough, Ontario. The Des Places Community,
named for our founder Claude-François
Poullart des Places, was set up as a community of discernment to
help young men who are contemplating a vocation to the priesthood or
brotherhood with the Spiritans. Those who have applied to join the
Spiritans and have been accepted, come first to this house as postulants
or candidates to experience our Religious community so as to
help them discern whether or not they are indeed called to the
Spiritan missionary way of life. The candidates are invited to spend
a year in the Des Places Community during which time they continue
with their regular day job or pursue further studies.
The Spiritans offer a programme of daily Mass, common prayer and
shared meals to introduce the candidates to Religious life. During
the year there will also be special days of reflection and retreat to
help the candidates to deepen their spirituality as well as to help
the Spiritans to get to know the candidates better. Each candidate is
encouraged to have a Spiritual Director apart from the director of
the Des Places Community.
At the end of the year, after prayer, discernment and consultation,
the candidate may be invited by the Spiritans to go on to the next
and more formal stage of his vocational training, the Novitiate Year.
If you feel you might be called to the Spiritans, please contact our Vocations
Director.
