"How will I know that God is calling me to live the religious life as a priest, brother as a member of the Sacred Hearts?”
Becoming a priest or a brother in the Sacred Hearts US Province
It begins with a time of discernment. A time of discovery working with one of our vocation recruiters, we will get to know you, while you get to know us. During this time, you will have conversations with our vocation recruiter, be invited to visit our communities, and parishes. You will get to know a few of our members and our ministry. If we discern together that you are called to be a Sacred Hearts member, we will invite you to apply.
Pre-Novitiate - Queen of Peace Community, Harlingen, Texas The Pre-Novitiate is a time of intentional discernment. You will have live-in experience of formation within a pre-novitiate community. It is a time of prayer, personal growth and some practical pastoral experience. Working with the Pre-Novitiate Director, you will discern with the Holy Spirit whether or not you are being called to a deeper participation in the life of the Sacred Hearts Community and enter the Novitiate. Our current Pre-Novitiate Program is approximately ten months.
Novitiate – Hemet, California
Novitiate is a focused and privileged time for your initiation into a deep spiritual life, into religious life and into the Charism of our Congregation. This time of grace is a time for the you to make a personal response to Christ and determine your availability for sharing in the mission of Christ amid the challenges and needs of the contemporary world. Under the direction of the Novice Master, you will have the opportunity for growth in your relationship with God, yourself, and other. You will continue to discern your vocation to and clarify your motives for entering the Congregation and your readiness for formal commitment.
The Novitiate is twelve months long, as stated by Canon Law. The starting date of Novitiate is determined according to the needs of the Province. The US Province Novitiate is located in Hemet, California.
Temporary Vows
Temporary Vows are a 3-year temporary commitment to God and the Congregation. If you desire to profess Temporary Vows, you will make this request in writing to the Provincial toward the end of Novitiate. If approved you will make Temporary Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for a period of 3 years.
Post-Novitiate (Scholasticate) – Pacific Regional Seminary, Suva, Fiji
The Post-Novitiate is a time when you will acquire a basic knowledge of spiritual and theological studies in preparation for priesthood or for a profession or ministry other than priesthood. The Post-Novitiate period is a time for deepening in your heart a vision of the Church and the Congregation’s mission today in light of our General Chapters.
After three years of study PRS offers a Diploma of Theology. Two degrees are earned after the seventh year of study. The Bachelor of Divinity throug PRS and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology through the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.
In addition to formal philosophical/theological formation you will have the opportunity for a “pastoral year”, which takes place in one of our apostolic communities. This currently takes place after the fourth year of study. After the pastoral year, you normally return to the house of formation in Fiji to continue your studies and, for priesthood candidates, formation for ordained ministry.
Perpetual Vows
“I, … make forever the vow of chastity, poverty, and obedience, as a brother of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in whose service I wish to live and to die.” During the pastoral year, a brother may apply for final profession, a life-long commitment to God and the Congregation.
