Welcome to the site of the TransCanada Province of the Spiritans. We are a Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of over three thousand members, founded in 1703. Our missions are spread worldwide. While we may be found involved in many diverse ministries, we have dedicated ourselves to working with the poor and in those situations where the Church has difficulty in finding ministers. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site and that while browsing you will keep us in your prayers. May God bless you.

Spiritan Vocations Office

Are You Being Called?

 

The call to become a Spiritan priest or brother is not something to be taken lightly or with undue haste. It involves setting out on what will become a lifelong commitment to the missionary Religious way of life. It is a call to let go of one's own way of life, to let go of attachments and to embrace a life dedicated to serving others. It is a call to live counter cultural values as expressed through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Since this is such a serious and life changing process, the training or formation of the Spiritan priest or brother is a careful and lengthy process taking place in various stages over a period of several years. Each stage of the journey invites the candidate ever more deeply to discern his vocation.

 

 

  

 

Are you called? Are you ready to be a priest or brother?

Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ John 21:18

 

SPIRITAN FORMATION (Requirements)

Requirements for Acceptance into the Spiritan Formation Programme to be trained for Priesthood or Brotherhood

  • Male.
  • Single.
  • Age 21 to 45.
  • Practicing Catholic for at least five years and some evidence of activity and involvement in local parish (We will require a reference letter from the parish priest).
  • Good physical and mental health (We will ask for a medical checkup and a psychological assessment).
  • No criminal record (We will require police clearances).
  • Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
  • Free of debt or working to pay off debt.
  • Education level: Must have an undergraduate degree or the equivalent.
  • Reference letters from a priest or a Religious, a professor or teacher, a family member or relative, and current employer or supervisor.

If you feel you meet these requirements and you feel called to live in Religious community and serve as a missionary, you may wish to download and look over our application form:

Spiritan Application Form - Microsoft Word

Spiritan Application Form - Adobe PDF

 

 

SPIRITAN FORMATION (Training)
TransCanada Province Formation Programme Outline

PRIEST

BROTHER

Exploration

This is the initial stage of discerning the vocation. During this period, a candidate is in touch with the Spiritan Vocations Director in the process of exploring the nature of the calling. The Vocations Director will need to know the background of the candidate; family background, life story, educational background, work experience and so on. The Vocations Director may invite the candidate to some days of reflection or retreat.

If there seems to be a genuine Religious vocation to the Spiritan missionary Religious life, the candidate, having completed an application form, will be interviewed by our Vocations Committee and after consultation with the Spiritan Provincial Superior and his Council, the Vocations Director and his Committee will inform the candidate whether or not he has been accepted as a Postulant into the Pre-Novitiate Programme.

Duration - at least 1 year.

Exploration

This is the initial stage of discerning the vocation. During this period, a candidate is in touch with the Spiritan Vocations Director in the process of exploring the nature of the calling. The Vocations Director will need to know the background of the candidate; family background, life story, educational background, work experience and so on. The Vocations Director may invite the candidate to some days of reflection or retreat.

If there seems to be a genuine Religious vocation to the Spiritan missionary Religious life, the candidate, having completed an application form, will be interviewed by our Vocations Committee and after consultation with the Spiritan Provincial Superior and his Council, the Vocations Director and his Committee will inform the candidate whether or not he has been accepted as a Postulant into the Pre-Novitiate Programme.

Duration - at least 1 year.

Postulancy
Pre-Novitiate

The candidate becomes a postulant and is invited to actually live full time in a Spiritan formation community. It is a period of time given for the postulant to really experience Spiritan Religious community. Mutual assessment between the individual and the Congregation. The postulant may continue to work or study or may start new courses. During this period, the candidate is expected to support himself financially and to contribute to his room and board.

The entry point is September of each year.
Duration 1 to 2 years.

Postulancy
Pre-Novitiate

It is a period of time given for a candidate to experience Spiritan Religious community. Mutual assessment between the individual and the Congregation. The postulant may continue to work or study or may start new courses. During this period, the candidate is expected to support himself financially and to contribute to his room and board.

The entry point is September of each year.
Duration 1 to 2 years.

Novitiate

A spiritual year which enables the candidate to deepen his vocation. At the end of this year the candidate makes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years.

Duration 1 year

 

Novitiate

A spiritual year which enables the candidate to deepen his vocation. At the end of this year the candidate makes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years.

Duration 1 year

Studies

Undergraduate Degree or its equivalency. It is recommended that some Philosophy be studied. The duration depends on the individual's prior education.

Studies

Undergraduate Degree or its equivalency or the Brother may also be asked to pursue a Professional Degree or studies towards a Trade. The duration depends on the individual's prior education and/or training.

Overseas Training Programme (O.T.P.)

Ministry in a missionary context, living and working in an intercultural milieu. During this time the individual is supervised and guided by a Spiritan mentor in the hosting community.
Duration 1 to 2 years

Overseas Training Programme (O.T.P.)

Ministry in a missionary context, living and working in an intercultural milieu. During this time the individual is supervised and guided by a Spiritan mentor in the hosting community.
Duration 1 to 2 years

Theological Studies

Duration 3 to 4 years

 

Studies continued...

Undergraduate Degree or its equivalency or the Brother may also be asked to pursue a Professional Degree or studies towards a Trade. The duration depends on the individual's prior education and/or training.

Profession of Final Vows

Profession of Final Vows

 

Ordination to the Diaconate

 

The Professed Spiritan is ordained as a Deacon and assigned to a Spiritan Parish for a period of 6 to 12 months.

 

Mission Appointment

The newly professed Spiritan Brother is assigned to a specific ministry in any one of the sixty countries around the globe in which the Spiritans are present. This assignment is decided upon by the Spiritan General Council in Rome after consultation with the individual and his Superior in the TransCanada Province.

Ordination to the Priesthood

 

Mission Appointment

The newly ordained Spiritan priest is assigned to a specific ministry in any one of the sixty countries around the globe in which the Spiritans are present. This assignment is decided upon by the Spiritan General Council in Rome after consultation with the newly ordained individual and his Superior in the TransCanada Province.


Lay Spiritans

Volunteer International Christian Service (V.I.C.S.)

For requirements and conditions, see the Lay Spiritan Guide:

http://www.spiritans.com/layspiritans.htm

 

For requirements and conditions, see the VICS website:

http://www.volunteerinternational.ca/qualifications.html

 

Prayer for Vocations

Jesus, sent by the Father and consecrated by the Holy Spirit, you came to save all people and you continue your mission in the world of today through your disciples. May your Holy Spirit inspire men and women to participate in this ongoing ministry to peoples, groups and individuals who have not heard the Good News, or scarcely so: to those whose needs are greatest: to the oppressed, and to those for whom the Church has difficulty finding labourers.

 

Mary, mother of Jesus and our blessed mother, you watched over and guided the formation of your Son in Nazareth. Foster and strengthen among your Son's disciples the call to serve as priests, religious and lay ministers in the ever challenging world of evangelisation.

Amen

Spiritan Vocations Office

Phone: 416 691-9319 x.21
Fax: 416 691-8760

E Mail:

vocations@spiritans.com

Spiritans,
The Congregation of the Holy Ghost

Laval House
121 Victoria Park Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA
M4E 3S2

 
www.spiritans.com