Stages and Processes of Formation

Each Claretian who desires to follow Jesus Christ in the Claretian charism must go through different stages and processes of formation from his entry until the end of his life. Therefore this holistic formation has two parts in relation to its nature and period namely initial and ongoing.

a. Initial Formation

Initial formation starts at the entry of a candidate into our Congregation and it ends with his Perpetual Profession and Ordination. It is comprised of: Apirancy, Postulancy, Novitiate and Post-novitiate (regency and theology ). Called, Formed and Sent are the key biblical foundations of the vocation and formation of the Disciples of Christ. Each Claretian in initial formation draws the charisma of our Holy Founder St. Antony Mary Claret, and transforms himself to be a universal Missionary in the ‘Forge of Mother Mary to be sent anywhere.

Minor Seminary/Aspirancy: Period of Aspirancy consists of one year of Bsic formation and two years of Pre university studies. This stage of formation is done at Claret Bhavan kuravilangadu, Kottayam Dt. Kerala, 686633

Philosophy/ Postulancy This stage of formation consist of Diploma in philosophy and Graduation studies. Presently the students of St. Thomas province undergo this stage at Claretian Ashram Wardha, Maharashtra, 442107

Novitiate: It is an intense year if religious and spiritual formation. All the students of Claretian Missionaries do their Novitiate at Claret Bhavan, Carmelaram, Bangaluru, Karnataka – 560035

Post-Novitiate: This period consists of one year of regency(Community Experience and three and a half years of studies in Theology. During this period they receive minor orders and make their perpetual profession. The regency place is assigned by the provincial and the students do their theology studies at Good Sheperd Major Seminary, Kunnoth residing at Claretian Study House Kunnoth or at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore residing at Claretian Seminary, Malleswaram, Bangalore, Karnataka.

b. Ongoing Formation

Ongoing Formation is intrinsic to our vocation. It starts from where initial formation ends and continues to one’s final “fiat” of life. Ongoing formation is a renewing action which restores the personal and community, energies and readies us to respond suitably to the missions sent.