Any vocation, whether it be marriage, single blessedness or the priesthood and religious life is a gift from God. One’s vocation is ultimately rooted in the universal baptismal call to holiness. Holiness is linked to the imitation of Christ in our lives. We try to follow Christ in thought, in word and in deed.
A vocation to the Adorno Fathers and Brothers is a particular call of God to place one’s life at the service of the Church, ac- cording to the Charism of our Founders. Becoming a part of our community affords men the opportunity to serve God through parish work, missionary activities, retreat work and teaching. As a family, we strive to share with one another the joys and sorrows of everyday life. Our Order is open to those who are called by God to embrace the religious life. As religious, the candidate may pursue the life of a priest, brother or permanent deacon.
Formation with the Clerics Regular Minor begins with the period of postulancy. During this time, a candidate is helped to cultivate his baptismal grace, to discern more clearly and with greater certainty his own vocation, and to ac- quire the virtues and develop the attitudes for following the call of the Lord.
A one year novitiate is the second period of formation in our Order. It is a period of grace and trial, during which the novices deepen more clearly their knowledge of their vocation in our Order, and experience its style of life. In the novitiate, the vows, the Constitutions, the spirituality, the purpose and the history of the Adorno Fathers and brothers are well treated, so that the novices may know and live our Charism, which should be the soul of their religious life.
Upon completion of the novitiate, the candidate pro- fesses the religious vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and not seeking after ecclesiastical honors. This simple or first profession lasts three years. During this time, the professed religious deepens his spiritual life in the Order and also become involved in some apostolate in our parishes. The first profession of vows can be renewed for a longer period of time.
Solemn Profession is the highest and most complete expression of consecration to God in the service of the Church, and of full aggregation in our religious family. It is the sign of the spousal love that indissolubly unites Christ to the Church, his spouse.