Formation to Mission
Formation to Mission
“In order for evangelization to bear lasting fruit, St. John Eudes devoted himself wholeheartedly to the formation of priests… Today, attentive to the Church’s constant need for good pastors, Eudists collaborate in the awakening of vocations and in the formation and service of priests and other ministers, each one according to their abilities and as requested by the bishops.” (CJM Constitutions 2, 30)
From the beginning, Eudists have helped awaken vocations and form candidates for diocesan priesthood and religious life. Our discernment program is designed to help each individual grow as a human being, live out the holiness of their baptismal vocation, and discover God’s will for them.
In the US, we accompany men who are discerning the vocation to be a priest or a brother. There are 4 stages along this journey:
Discerning
Candidacy
Probation
Incorporation
Discerning
This is a time of transition from a life in the world to life in formation. These men may have an outside job, might not be studying, but they are welcomed into the life of a Eudist community so they can share our lives and see the consecrated life firsthand.
Discernment may take place in any Eudist house with the permission of the Regional Superior, and is frequently done in the House of Jesus and Mary.
Candidacy
Candidacy is a public recognition that a man has chosen to pursue the priesthood and has been accepted by a particular diocese or institute of consecrated life. He will be placed in a 2-3 year program of pre-theology studies where he will earn a bachelor’s degree.
Candidates usually attend John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA for pre-theology.
Probation
St. John Eudes used he Latin word probare to describe this stage. It means it is a time of mutual testing. Men who are discerning a vocation as a Eudist will spend a minimum of 4 years living as members of the CJM, to evaluate it and be evaluated by the community.
Probation normally takes place while men complete a masters in theology, either at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA or the Franciscan School of Theology in Oceanside, CA.
During probation, the men are also sent for a year of intensive formation in Eudist Spirituality called a “Spiritual Year.” It usually takes place in an international setting with Eudist candidates and specialists in the spirituality from around the world.
Incorporation, Ordination
Incorporation is the definitive commitment to live out one’s baptismal vows by becoming a permanent member of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. At this point, men will discern and request ordination so they can serve the mission through sacramental ministry. If they request ordination, they will spend 6-12 months as a transitional deacons before being ordained a priest.
Ongoing Formation
Eudists see their formation as ongoing and lifelong. For many, the local community is the place where this formation continues, especially through the Community Life Plan. Some may pursue further studies or develop specific competencies according to their own interests and the needs of the community. However this formation may be accomplished, as individuals and as a community, Eudists continue their human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and community formation for their entire lives.
