Priests of the Sacred Heart - Canada

If you would like to spend some time in our religious community to determine if this is where God is calling you, you are invited to contact the Vocation Office for an application form. This will begin the process for admission to the candidacy program.

Candidacy

An applicant who has been accepted as a candidate lives in a residence of the community. This initial phase has a twofold purpose. It gives you a chance to discover who we are on a day to day basis, and it gives us a chance to discover who you are. The focus of this period, which usually lasts up to two years, is discerning and acclimatizing. If you begin to identify with the vision that holds our community together, and experience the peace that comes from a sense of belonging, then you are probably moving in the right direction. Prayer, guidance and the experience of community life are essential to the work of discerning whether God's plan for you includes membership in our community. During this time, candidates are given an opportunity for academic upgrading, theology studies and ministry.

Novitiate

One year of novitiate follows the candidacy period. This is a privileged year. Freed from academic involvement and from salaried employment, novices prepare for a formal commitment through the vows of poverty, consecrated celibacy and obedience. Prayer, study, ministry, spiritual guidance and reflection are major components of the year's program.

Temporary Commitment

During the period of temporary commitment the newly-professed, normally called brother, makes a formal commitment for one year, by professing the vows of consecrated celibacy, poverty and obedience. This commitment proclaims that God is the one reality necessary for our lives, and the search for God is the central task of our lives.

During the period of temporary commitment, the brother enters a program of formal preparation for ministry and becomes incorporated into the community by participating fully in its life and activity.

After three years in temporary vows, brothers may make the request for permanent commitment.