Learning to listen and take the first steps.

This is where your journey begins and it starts in Chicago at our Claret House. This stage can take from one to four years, and includes two significant moments:

Aspirancy is a time to continue discerning your vocation within a Claretian community. It is a moment of listening, growing, and preparing your heart to follow Jesus more intentionally as a missionary.

Postulancy is the final and official step before the novitiate. It is a time to confirm your decision to join the Claretian community and to prepare yourself spiritually, humanly and academically.

Pre-Novitiate is about:

• Deepening your relationship with God
  
• Getting to know Claretian life and mission
  
• Beginning to live in community
  
• Growing in emotional maturity and self-awareness
  

What would your life look like?

• Academic studies, either undergraduate or at Catholic Theological Union 
• Classes in faith, personal development, and Claretian identity
• Daily prayer and Mass
  
• Community life and shared responsibilities
  
• Ministry experiences (3 to 6 hours of community service, summer and winter mission)

Formation is more than studying or preparing for ministry. Formation is coming to know yourself better and becoming the person God is calling you to be.

Are you ready to take the first step? Let’s talk!

A year to go deeper.

Have you ever wanted to experience living and serving aboard? Welcome to the missionary way! 

This next step is a one-year experience focused on prayer, silence, and deep discernment while you’re out serving in the world.

Novitiate takes place in an international setting, such as Córdoba, Argentina, allowing you to experience the global and intercultural nature of the Claretian mission. This is a powerful year where you:

• Deepen your relationship with Christ and the Claretian charisms
  
• Embrace the evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience
  

At the end of this year, you might be invited to make your first profession of temporary vows as a Claretian Missionary.

Growing into your mission.

This part of your journey is the longest and most formative stage. It typically lasts three to six years. Here, formation becomes more personal and mission-focused.

You will:

• Study theology and deepen your understanding of missionary identity
  
• Engage in regular ministry and pastoral work
  
• Continue growing in community life
  
• Discern your path as a brother, deacon, or priest
  

You will also:

• Renew your vows each year
  
• Participate in missionary and cross-cultural experiences
  
• Serve in real ministry settings

Theological Studies:

• Students preparing for the priesthood are required to complete a Master of Divinity degree at the Catholic Theological Union. You are encouraged to pursue the dual degree M.Div./MA program after dialogue and consultation with the Prefect of Formation.
• Students preparing for brotherhood must complete a Master of Theology or a related degree.
• Undergraduate and language requirements must be fulfilled if they have not already been completed.
• Academic formation includes theology, scripture, Church history, spirituality, moral theology, and pastoral training.

At the end of this stage, you may be invited to make your final vows, committing your life fully as a Claretian Missionary.