BECOMING
ACQUAINTED
The most natural
surrounding for the fostering of St. John of God vocation
takes place when a man has on-going contact with Brothers
working with those who suffer. Most people hear about
our work through other sources or are attracted by information
they come across through advertising materials.
Before actually
applying to enter the Order of brothers, it is assumed
that a relationship has been forged between the man
exploring his vocation and members of the Order. During
this time we would hope that the man is prepared to
enter into discernment and dialogue with the St. John
of God Vocation Director. If a person is seriously contemplating
our way of life, the person would be encouraged to some
form of appropriate Spiritual Direction. Exposure to
the Order and its ministry is seen as important.
If there is a feeling
of mutual comfort on the part of the individual and
the Order, a contact may request an application for
entrance into the St. John of God Order. The Application
Process includes the completion of the application,
the writing of a personal spiritual autobiography, the
submission of 3 names for character and personal reference
and the completion of a comprehensive psychological
and physical examination. Once the information is obtained,
it is directed to the Provincial and his Council for
approval. Again, if there is a mutual comfort between
the Individual Person and the Community, the applicant
is admitted into the Novitiate Program.
ENTERING THE ORDER
The guiding philosophy
and inspiration for the Formation Program remains 'Becoming
a St. John of God Brother'. The purpose and direction
of the Formation Program is:
- To foster continued
discernment as to the nature and direction of ones vocation
in life.
- To grow in contact with the Charism of Hospitality
that is part of the Order and the person who is exploring
their vocation.
- To foster an experiential as well as intellectual
meaning of the vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience
and Hospitality as lived out by the St. John of God
Brother.
- To provide a setting wherein each person can move
into greater incorporation and participation in the
greater Community.
The following are
some ways where these aims are achieved -
- Familiarity with
documents and literature pertaining to the Hospitaller
Order of St. John of God.
- Sharing in daily life and living in the context of
a St. John of God Community, especially prayer and ministry.
- Familiarity with the 'living history' of present day
St. John of God Brothers;
- Deepening the spiritual life by continued prayer and
reflection on Scripture.
The implementation
of the formation program is made manifest in the following
ways.
NOVITIATE
The first element
of the Formation Process involves a lengthy period of
withdrawal, prayer, and an experience of living the
community life. This period is primarily a time of deepening
discernment, exploring an individuals own life vocation
and the vocation of the brothers.
During the Novitiate,
the person will have extended periods of quiet for reflection
and prayer. There will be an experience of Hospitaller
Spirituality and the basic Christian Spirituality.
The person in this
Formation Process will be assisted in intergrating the
spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual dimensions
of their personality.
During this period
a person will engage in limited and appropriate Ministry
experience. This Ministry experience will be with other
brothers involved in ministry.
Each person will
make a retreat at some point during this Formation Process.
Each brother has some period each year for an annual
retreat.
Throughout this
Formation Process a person is encouraged to meet with
a Spiritual Director on a regular basis. They are also
encouraged to meet with other people who are involved
in the Discernment Process with members of other Religious
groups.
After this period
of Novitiate and Discernment a person professes the
vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Hospitality
for a period of one year. These vows are then renewed
on a yearly basis for a period of six years. At the
end of this period the Brother then makes Solemn Profession
of these vows, which is a lifetime commitment to the
St. John of God Brothers in the Religious Life and concludes
the initial Formation Program.
LEARNING MORE ABOUT
YOU
Regardless of the
information on this web site, one cannot gain a complete
understanding or appreciation of the members of the
Saint John of God Brothers by considering this information
alone. A personal meeting is necessary for us to get
to know each other in a more suitable and personal manner.
To explore if you wish to begin the process it is important
that you make contact with us. In making this first
'initial' contact conveys that you are interested in
our way of life and ministry. As Saint John of God Brothers,
we look forward to that meeting.
