5. CRITERIA FOR VOCATION DISCERNMENT
The missionary vocation requires a well rounded personality and those intellectual, spiritual, apostolic qualities, which guarantee the constant growth which leads to joyful personal fulfillment. This growth should be measured at the various stages of formation of the individual candidates. (Const. 59)
5.1 Gradual and continual growth:
In the following paragraphs we will mention some elements, eg. right intention, worthiness, which should be taken into consideration and evaluated in the vocation discernment process. Due regard should be given to the degree of maturity reached by the candidate at the various levels. The traits which one expects to see present from the very beginning are often yet attitudes or qualities.
As the student is admitted to various stages of the formative process attention should be given to ascertain if he has attained the emotion and physical maturity necessary to assume the corresponding obligations for that step (eg. postulancy, novitiate, etc.)...and to see whether he is progressing, and if he gives signs of hope for the future.
No clear cut judgment can be made on the candidate. Observations concerning these periodical evaluations may be kept in the personal file of the student. This file should follow the student during the various stages of his formation. Formation persons should diligently compile and complete this file.
During the vocation discernment process the formation team should make of psychological testing,community evaluations. They should dialogue with the student candidly to see how he is getting on. Such dialogue presupposes mutual confidence, sincere collaboration, it is the fruit of respect for persons and the truth. (cfr RF 39)
5.2 Contraindications and negative signs:
5.2.1 Legal contraindications:
Canon law lists some negative signs regarding vocations, the church considers these serious enough to exclude such candidates from the priesthood and religious life. The canons indicated are as follows:
- Admission to novitiate/religious profession (canons 643, 648, 656, 658..
- Admission to diaconate/priesthood (canons 1025, 1031, 1033, 1035-38, 1040-42, 1044...)
Should it be decided to admit a candidate, despite juridical impediments listed in the code, a dispensation must be obtained from the Holy See before admitting the student to the novitiate.
5.2.2 Precautionary contraindications:
These "impediments" often arise because of the physical or psychological situation of the individual. They seem to indicate that such a person would find difficulty in serenely following a life of obedience, chastity, poverty, mission in community. These contraindications indicate the presence of a problem area for a person committing himself to the Xaverian vocation for a lifetime.
Here may list some family situations which may affect the psychological makeup of a person, these may be hereditary or emotional.
Where such problem areas exist, attention is to be exercised. The family should be well known, medical and psychological help may be sought, so that the assessment of the candidate and his family may be as complete as possible. (cfr OT 6, RF 39)
We are missioners: attention is to be exercised when dealing with an "only child". Such candidates should not be excluded "a priori", however, each case should be handled individually and all of the implications of a missionary vocation should be explained clearly to the boy and his family.
We are missioners: age is also a factor to be taken into account. A missioner must be able to adapt easily to community, diverse cultures, different pastoral approaches. Conforti suggested the norm "exclusion of candidates over the age of 35" unless there were exceptional reasons to the contrary. (cfr RG 63.1)
5.3 Positive Criteria:
Admission is not based on the absent of "contraindications" alone. The candidates must possess certain positive qualities. (Rel. Inst. 1961, 15). Such positive signs are no guarantee that a vocation "is" present, they merely indicate that a vocation "might" be present. Some of these positive criteria are:
5.3.1 Human qualities:
- sound physical-psychological well being: the Xaverian must be able to adapt to diverse food, climates, resist pressures in difficult environmental situations, while residing abroad, working in unstable conditions...
- sexual and emotional maturity relative to one's age... to a degree that would permit serene and clear choice for religious consecration and pastoral ministry in due time...
- well balanced disposition... strong, constant, generous, responsible, good humored... open, sensitive to justice and solidarity issues... enterprising and laborious, patient and persevering...staunch before obstacles and difficulties...
- sufficient intelligence to complete required studies (college, philosophy, theology)... fluency in languages... ability to inter-relate with other religions and cultures in a critical and sympathetic fashion...
- capability in handling interpersonal relationships spontaneously and maturely... able to live in community, and work as part of a team... respect personal limitations in self and others... aware that our call implies living with confreres of different backgrounds, ages, cultures...
5.3.2 Christian qualities:
- While "following" the candidate should seek to grow as a human-christian person: prayer life, application to studies and work, availability to community life,and service...
- Proportionate capability to see persons, events and things in the light of the faith and word... following a certain scale of gospel values...
- An adequate experience of prayer and sacramental life, especially the eucharist and sacrament of reconciliation...
- Readiness to verify one's own life, and to accept the help of a formation person in this evaluation...
- A christian life joyously lived and witnessed to in apostolic works of "incarnation" and "solidarity" proportionate to one's age...
5.3.3 Xaverian qualities: (apart from the above...)
- a clear orientation and inclination for the missionary life... toward which mission the Xaverians are to direct "in obedience, all of their best energies... (cf RgF 6)
- a sense of belonging to the Xaverian family... interest in the Founder, charism, history, present activity of the society... (cfr RgF 45)
- to identify with definite choices and apostolic activity of Xaverians... foresee the possibility of ministering as a priest or brother with the Xaverians...(cfr RgF 3-4, 7)
- acceptance of the religious/community aspects of the congregation... and of the obligations flowing therefrom, for more radical service to the mission of Christ in the church of God (cfr RgF 26, LT 1-2)...
5.4 Definite vocational sign:
The presence of the qualities listed above constitutes an indication that a vocation "may be" present. This "possible" sign must be ratified by an "authoritative" affirmation. There must be "a clear determined decision to consecrate oneself to God totally" and this decision must bear the "countersignature" of ecclesiastical "mediators" chosen by God and the church for this task (cfr Summi Dei Verbum, Paul VI 1963, 17-18).
There are some essential components then which constitute a "definite vocation sign", namely:
- an authentic interest/inclination toward the "mission" of the Xaverian congregation...
- deep rooted supernatural motivation for this choice
- sincere desire to adopt the Xaverian life project, the charism, the mission drive of Conforti... to make a spiritual experience of the "Caritas Christi" which impels us to go forth and announce the fatherhood of God and universal brotherhood to non-christians.
Juridical Guide for Formation Personnel
(Prepared by Fr. Ceresoli)
POSTULANCY
The time, place, program for postulancy are to be defined by the Provincial directory (Const. 62.1; Ratio 4,2,1; 5.1.2; 5.2.2; 5.3.2; 5.4.2; 5.5.2...)
NOVITIATE
- application: addressed to provincial
- documents: baptism/confirmation/free state - c. 645.1
letter bishop/rector if seminarian - c. 645.2
if seminarian dismissed - c. 241.3
- admission: provincial/advice formators - c. 641--/con. 63.1
invalid admission
under 17 years old - c. 643.1/con. 63.1
still married - c. 643.2
member of other rel institute - c. 643.3
enters/fear/fraud/violence - c. 643.4
hides fact/earlier profession - c. 643.5
illicit admission
non-authorized cleric - c. 644
person with unresolvable debt - c. 644
unhealthy/immature/inept - c. 644
over 35/unless exception - c. -----/con. 63.1
- celebration: house erected/decree S Gen. - c. 647.1
for 12 months - c. 648.1
within maximum 2 years - c. 648.3
pastoral exp./prov. statute - c. 648.2/con. 63
6 month extension - c. 653.2
temp. transfer novitiate>sx - c. 647.3
novitiate outside house/ok DG - c. 647.2
supply time absent (15-90 dd.) - c. 649.1
N.B. All novitiate permissions are preserved in writing and in archives. Validity of novitiate is most importance. (cf. cc. 641-653; con. 63; ratio 4.2.2; 5.1.2; 5.2.2; 5.3.2; 5.4.2; 5.5.2)
- dismissal: provincial/hears formators - c. 653.1/con. 63.1
PROFESSION
- application: addressed to provincial
- admission: deliberative vote/provincial - c. 656.3/con. 66
- conditions: 18 years - c. 656.1
valid novitiate - c. 643-49
no fear/violence/fraud - c. 656.4
cede administration goods - c. 668.1/con. 30.1
- celebration: within established time - c. 655/con. 68
written/signed/read by novice - c. 656.4/con. 66
rec'd by prov./delegate - con. 66
countersigned by receiver - con. 66
formula as in constitutions - con. 67
15 days anticipation/prov. ok - c. 649.2
- exclusion: deliberative vote/provincial - c. 653/con. 66
N.B. After profession to be sent to general archives are separate documents for each professed in original or photocopy... profession document on Society stationery, signed and countersigned, date and place of profession indicated, copy of birth certificate, baptismal certificate, confirmation certificate.
Profession is made according to seniority. Seniority based on studies completed, entrance in Xaverian house, age.
Profession is not the "end" of novitiate, only the legal termination. To change the testament made in novitiate, the permission of provincial is required (cf. c. 668.2/con. 30) (Also cf. c. 647-57; con. 56-67; Ratio 4.2.3; 5.1.2; 5.2.2; 5.3.2; 5.4.2; 5.5.2)
RENEWAL OF VOWS
- application: addressed to provincial c.
- admission: provincial/delegate c. -----/con. 68
- conditions: spontaneous request c. 657.1/con. 68
renewal upon expiration c. 657.1
minimum 3 years c. 655
maximum 6 years c. 655/con. 68
provincial can extend 3 years c. 657.2/con.68
- celebration:local superior/delegate c. -----/con.68
- separation: free desire to leave c. 688.1/con. 68.1
exclusion by prov/deliberative v. c. 689.1/con. 68.2
expulsion c. 696.2
dispensation/S. Gen. delib. vote c. 688.2/con. 68.3
N.B. Notify the General Direction of renewals celebrated. If a student wishes to leave and renewal of vows is not imminent, he may request a dispensation from the General Direction. (For dispensation, a motivated written request is required, as well as a supportive letter from the provincial). Notification of the student's leaving should be sent to the Secretary General. Should a student wish to re-enter (after leaving, or during novitiate before profession), the General with the deliberative vote of his council may re-admit him but he must determine; the time and manner of trial period, and length of time the student is to remain in temporary vows (c. 690.1) (Also cf. c. 657; con. 68; Ratio 4.2.3; 5.1.2; 5.2.2; 5.3.2; 5.4.2; 5.5.2.
PERPETUAL PROFESSION
- application: addressed to superior general
- admission: deliberative vote S.Gen/with DG c. -----/cons. 69.1
- conditions: after period of temporary prof. c. 658
21 years of age c. 658.1
3 years temp. profession c. 658.2
may anticipate 3 months c. 657.3
last will to be made c. 668.4/con. 30.2
spiritual preparation c. -----/con. 69.1
incardinates clerics c. 268.2
notify parish of origin c. 535.2
- celebration: provincial/delegate c. -----/con. 69.1
constitutional formula c. -----/con. 67
- separation: spontaneous request c. 688.1
excluded by General/del vote DG c. 689--/con. 69.2
expulsion by General/canon law c. 694-703/con. 40.1, 41
dispensed by General/H. See c. 691--/con. 40
N.B. Before perpetual profession, send motivated request, written testimonials of formation team, judgment of prov. council, information (curriculum, past judgments, medical certificates if needed). All to be sent two months in advance of profession to the DG. Copies of perpetual profession formula are to be sent (with date and requisite signatures) to the General Direction later. (cf. also c.657-8, Constitutions 69, Ratio 6).
MINISTRIES: LECTOR/ACOLYTE
- application: request addressed to Provincial MQ 8
- admission: provincial superior MQ 8
- conditions: reserved to "men" MQ 7
age determined by Bishops conference MQ 8
will to serve God and people of God MQ 8
respect "time/space" between "ministries" MQ 10
lector/acolyte precede diaconate c. 1035.1
acolyte 6 months before diaconate c. 1035.2
dispensation/H. See can grant MQ 11
-celebration: ordinary/provincial + proper rite MQ 9
N.B. MQ = Ministeria quaedam (8/15/72) (cf. c. 230, 1035; const. 70; Ratio 4.3; 5.1.3; 5.2.3; 5.3.3; 5.4.3; 5.5.3)
DIACONATE
- Application: addressed to provincial c. -----/con. 70.3
Free/accept perp. obligations c. 1036
Testimonial of rector c. 1051.1/con. 70.3
other information c. 1051.1
- admission: del. vote/prov./general c. ------/con. 70.3
- conditions: reserved to baptized "males" c. 1024
proper academic preparations c. 1027-8/con. 70.2
no impediments c. 1040-9
written acceptance document c. 1034.1
declaration of freedom c. 1026
perpetual profession c. 1037
lector/acolyte exercised c. 1035.1
6 months after acolyte c. 1035.2
confirmation sacrament rec'd c. 1033
23 years old c. 1031
after 5 years Phil. Theo. course c. 1032.1
- celebration:dimissorials from Sup. Gen. c. 1052.2
after 5 days retreat c. 1039
deacon is a cleric c. 266
notify diocese of ordination c. 1053.1
notify parish of ordination c. 1054, 535.2
consign document of ordination c. 1053.2
- non-acceptance: for canonical reasons c. 1030
N.B. Ask dimissorials of Sup. Gen two months before ordination. Request for ordination addressed to provincial - testimonials of formation team.
- judgment of prov. council - name of Bishop, date and place of ordination. After ordination - send copy of ordination document to Secretary General.
PRIESTHOOD
- application: made to prov./rector's testimony c. 1034.1/con. 70.3
- admission: del. vot. prov/ok of General c. 1034.1/con. 70.3
admission granted in writing c. 1034.1
- conditions: freedom c. 1026
6 months after diaconate c. 1031-2/con. 70.3
25 years old c. 1031.1
theology course completed c. 1032.2
documents as for other ministries c. 1050.2
- celebration: dimissorial from General c. 1019
5 day retreat c. 1039
N.B. Request dimissorials from General two months before ordination. Present written request, testimonials of formation men, judgment of provincial council, name of Bishop, time and place of ordination,. After the ordination, send a copy of the ordination document to the Secretary General.
