Associates + Postulancy + Novitiate + Scholasticate
Postulants
“What’s a postulant?” you might ask. Usually he’s a person in discernment who has decided that he is ready to take another step forward with the Oblates. Postulants live in an Oblate community and carry out an Oblate ministry. A postulant gets an inside glimpse at Oblate life in order to help him further discern whether or not he would like to continue with the Oblates and so that the Oblates can decide if he is a good fit for the Novitiate, the next step in becoming an Oblate brother or priest.
Novitiate
 |
| The American OSFS Novitiate Community, 2010-2011: Left to Right: Ryan Cronshaw, Jeffery Edmonds, Bob Killion, Fr. Ken McKenna, OSFS, David Meiser, Br. Ed Ogden, OSFS |
What is the Novitiate?
A one year Novitiate program is required by the Church for all people wishing to enter a religious community. During this year, the Novice begins to study and appreciate Salesian roots and grows in his awareness of Oblate life and Salesian spirituality. This year of reflection is the preparation for taking the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience which will make a novice a professed Oblate of St. Francis de Sales. Following the Novitiate year, vows are renewed annually before taking perpetual vows anytime after beginning the fourth year under vows.
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Novitiate Community is on the grounds of the De Sales Center in Brooklyn, Michigan.
What is the Scholasticate?
Men who profess vows of chastity, poverty and obedience go on for further studies in the field of theology. During their studies, men under vows will renew their vows once each year until the completion of three full years under temporary vows. At the conclusion of the third full year a man would be invited, if mutually discerned, to profess perpetual vows as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales. Erik Jorge, Daniel Lannen, Joseph Newman, and Rudi Schwarzkopf, OSFS, are currently undertaking graduate studies.
Graduate Theological Training
Toronto,Canada – Graduate theological studies take place at the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario. The University of Toronto, itself, was the first university established in Canada. University of St. Michael’s College is part of the Toronto School of Theology (TST). Oblate students who are candidates for ordination to the priesthood work toward their Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree and those who are brothers work on a degree relevant to the field of ministry they primarily feel called to work in. Generally an Oblate will begin studies at University of Saint Michael’s College after first profession.
Apostolic Formation
Each scholastic with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, in addition to graduate studies at University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto, attempts to work in some sort of volunteer ministry as his schedule permits.
Residence
The Oblate Scholasticate Community lives in Toronto, Ontario, just minutes from downtown via car, bus or subway. While living in Toronto, Oblate graduate students commute to school at St. Michael’s College and also have opportunities to get to know people from many different religious communities, faiths and parts of the world.
Fr. Jim Roth, OSFS, is the Religious-in-Charge of both the house and formation. Fr. Roth is the campus minister at Ryerson University in Toronto.
