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Period of Postulancy (Candidacy)
 A man seeks admission to our formation program from the conviction that God is calling him to religious life. He is accepted into the pre-novitiate program by the Superior General. His status is "Postulant."
- Entrance
- Immersion/Community life/prayer
- Formal study
- Ministry experience
- Continued discernment
Period of Formation
A man who desires to continue his pursuit of religious life asks to be admitted to the Novitiate and is accepted by the Superior General. As a sign of his reception into the Congregation, as a Novice, he wears the habit of the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross and uses the title of "Brother."
The Novitiate ordinarily includes the following:
- First Year: formation program of studies includes Prayer and Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Franciscan Origins and Foundation of Ministry with Ministry Experience.
- Second Year: Continuation of formation core foundations, Study of the Constitutions, Vows, Theology and Scripture, Ministry experience.
The entire Novitiate experience provides opportunity to verify the novice’s call to live the life of the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross with conviction and fidelity. After careful deliberation by the individual and the community, the novice is admitted to profession by the Superior General.
Period of Temporary Profession of Vows
The period of temporary profession of vows generally extends over a five year period. It includes:
- Request/Acceptance for profession of vows of obedience, poverty and chastity for 2 years.
- Ministry Assignment
- Living Franciscan apostolic common life.
- Request/Acceptance to renew profession of vows for 3 years.
- Continuing integration into the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross community, mission and spirit.
The time of temporary vows serves as a confirmation, both on the part of the community and on the part of the individual, that a candidate is genuinely called to religious life in our congregation.
Perpetual Vows
At the completion of 5 years of temporary profession, a brother is welcomed to make a life commitment to the community and the Church through Perpetual Profession of Vows.
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