Introduction...This guide is intended to help any member of the Missionary Cenacle Family to contribute to our vocational efforts. It is divided into four sections, for each of the four branches of the Family.
We want to answer the same basic questions for each branch:
1. What are the personal characteristics or identifying signs of a good candidate?
2. What are the specific requirements for applicants?
3. What is the basic formation process?
4. What should I do once I have identified a possible candidate??
Missionary Cenacle Apostolate
The Identifying Signs of a Good Candidate
A potential candidate for the MCA should demonstrate a love of God, a zeal for neighbor, and a spirit of sacrifice. We are looking for candidates who are actively involved in the life of the Church and who are interested in the continued development of their spiritual lives.
A potential candidate should have the ability to share faith in a small group setting. He or she is accepting of the "family" relationship existing among the branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family.
Requirements for Applicants
A candidate to the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate must be a baptized Catholic. A candidate may not already be a member of a religious order, including any third order.
Basic Formation Process
An individual is admitted to candidacy by the local Custodian of the MCA or a representative named by the General or Regional Custodian. The stage of candidacy lasts for one to three years.
The formal formation process usually takes about one year and is undertaken with a sponsor from the Missionary Cenacle Family who is willing to accompany the individual in his/her introduction to the Cenacle way of life. If possible, a portion of the formation process should take place within the context of regular apostolic meetings of a local Missionary Cenacle.
The content of formation includes a study of the Rule of Life and Constitution of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. There is also a review of basic Cenacle spirituality, devotions, history, and practices. There are resources available for the purpose of formation, including a booklet of meeting outlines and a videotape.
At the end of the formation process, a candidate who is at least 17 years of age may make an Act of Consecration. This gives him/her full membership as an Associate of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate.
Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
The Identifying Signs of a Good Candidate
Our main goal is the preservation of the faith among people who are spiritually neglected or abandoned, especially the poor.
Requirements for Applicants
The first and most essential requirement is a great love for God and a willingness to live among and serve the poor and abandoned out of that love. A qualified applicant
Basic Formation Process
This is a time for an individual to come to know the community better and experience first-hand what it means to be a missionary through active involvement in the apostolate. There is a regular schedule of spiritual development and guidance, retreats and days of recollection, as well different programs dealing with issues of human development. Candidates are encouraged to become actively involved in both the local community and their school community.
Priesthood candidates must complete their undergraduate degree as well as eighteen credit hours of philosophy before going to the novitiate.
Missionary brother candidates must
finish their initial program of studies or training arranged by the director
of the program in consultation with the candidate and the community.
Phase One: The first six months are spent learning about the community, its history and spirit. There are classes and workshops on prayer, the spiritual life, the vows, and the place of religious life in the Church.
Phase Tivo. For the next two months the novice is involved in one of our missions. He actively participates in missionary work while leaming how to incorporate the active apostolic life with a dynamic life of prayer.
Phase Three: Also known as the reflective phase, these are the final four months before first profession of vows. There is much time for quiet, prayer, and spiritual direction, attempting to integrate the new knowledge and experiences of the year.
Novitiate ends when the novice makes
his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for one year. These
vows are renewed annually until final profession.
Priesthood students study theology in a four-year program leading to a Master's degree in divinity. They may also pursue a M.A. in a specific theological discipline. Their preparation also includes a variety of supervised pastoral experiences.
Missionary brothers enter a variety of programs of education, depending on their own talents and interests and the needs of the community. Some pursue academic degrees in theology while others receive specialized training in professional and technical fields.
In either case, an intense program
of spiritual development and active involvement are key. This final phase
of formation lasts three to four years.
Missionary Servants of the Most
Blessed Trinity
The Identifying Signs of a Good Candidates
A potential candidate is a woman who is healthy and mature, free to choose our life, and able to live in community and do our ministries. Our vocation formation handbook lists these qualities:
The following qualities were offered by our sisters at various regional meetings in 1997:
Requirements for Applicants
These policies were approved by
Sr. Siena Marie Wahl and the General Council on 12/12/95.
must be a practicing Roman Catholic
for the past three years, have a knowledge of basic Catholic faith, and
be open to further faith development.
must have the health necessary
to be in community, carry out ministry, participate in spiritual life activities,
and enter into the give and take of life as an MSBT. Physical examinations
and psychological testing are required. There must be willingness and ability
to work in a multicultural environment.
High school or GED is minimum
requirement. Must be capable of comprehending and delivering the Gospel
message. Must have the capacity for continued education.
preferably between the ages
of 18 to 35. We do not accept applicants over age 45.
single with no living children
or grandchildren. If the applicant was married, the marriage must have
been annulled for at least three years.
must be willing to live the
vowed life, has been living celibately for at least three years, is free
of debt, has no felony convictions, has worked successfully.
Basic Formation Process
There are five stages of formation.
There is an evaluation and recoi-nmendatioii involved in each stage. It
is the decision of the General Custodian whether or not to accept a woman
into each stage.
The woman meets with the vocation
director over a period of time. If both are agreeable, formal application
begins. This includes a complete physical exam and a psychological evaluation.
The woman submits academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, baptismal
certificate, etc.
After an applicant is accepted,
she lives for about a year in a local cenacle of two or more MSBTS, preferably
in her own culture when feasible. She works full time, usually in ministry
with the sisters. She is responsible for her own finances unless other
arrangements are made. This is an introduction to the lifestyle and spirituality
of the MSBTS, and a time for mutual discernment.
This stage lasts 5 months to
a year. The candidates live together with their candidate director in a
cenacle set aside for formation. It may be in a culture different from
their own. There is a curriculum and formal instruction, as well as part-time
ministry experiences. There may be short mission experiences in other cenacles
as well. There is time for prayer, study, and reflection.
This stage lasts 18 months.
Novices are members, and the community assumes full financial responsibility.
The novices live together in a cenacle specifically set aside for formation.
There are short-term i-nission experiences away from the novitiate cenacle
as well. Each novice meets regularly with the novice director. There is
an extensive curriculum which includes study of our Rule and Constitution,
the vows, spirituality, and human development. She has one day of ministry
a week. There is time for study, prayer, and reflection.
This stage may last from 4 to
6 years. A sister in temporary vows is missioned and serves as any other
sister. In addition to her full-time ministry, there are expectations of
continued education in religious life, scripture, and theology. There is
an annual evaluation to aid in discernment for a request for final vows.
Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute
The Identifying Signs of a Good Candidate
A potential candidate is one who
is mature, free to choose a vowed life, and is able to participate in the
mission of the BTMI. We look for candidates who manifest a love of God,
a zeal for neighbor, and a spirit of sacrifice. A potential candidate
Requirements for Applicants
Any Catholic who has no canonical
impediment, who is animated by the right intention, and who is able to
carry out the obligations of the institute may be admitted. Other requirements
are:
must be a practicing Roman Catholic,
have a basic knowledge of Catholicism, and be open to further faith development;
must recognize the authority of the Church, have a reverence and obedience
to the Holy Father; must recognize the authority of the bishops and their
special role; must have a missionary spirituality.
must be able to carry out ministry
and participate in spiritual life activities; must have a willingness and
ability to work independently as well as collaboratively; must have the
proper regard for personal health and show care witliout anxiety for its
maintenance.
must have completed 24 years
of age.
Must be single; if previously
married, the marriage must have been annulled.
must be willing to live the
vowed life; must be able to adequately provide for oneself-, must be able
to embrace and foster the family concept in ministry and spirituality.
Basic Formation Process
ASPIRANCY
Individuals seeking admission to the Institute must submit appropriate paper work and credentials, and undergo required testing and interviews. Aspirancy lasts at least six months.
Training of aspirants is under the
supervision of the Director of Aspirants or under the special care of a
proven member appointed for the purpose by the General Custodian. Training
is devoted to study, to spiritual exercises, and in general to whatsoever
may in any way help to qualify the aspirant for the functions of the Institute.
The period of candidacy is two years. It begins when the Aspirant makes the Act of Commitment. The Candidate is introduced to the nature and practice of the vows according to our charism. The Candidacy is spent in laying the foundations of life in the Institute and in study of the Constitution. The candidate is given instruction in Christian Doctrine, meditation and various forms of prayer, and suitable exercises toward personal and spiritual growth.
Upon completion of the Candidacy,
the candidate makes profession of temporary vows according to the Constitution.
Temporary vows are taken annually
for a period of five years. At that time, the member may choose to take
definitive vows with annual renewal, or perpetual vows with annual reaffirmation.
Where to Refer Qualified Candidates
Missionary Cenacle Apostolate
Interested persons should be connected to the Custodian of the local Missionary Cenacle, or the General Custodian of the MCA through the central MCA office:
3501 Solly Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19136 USA
Phone: (215) 708-8225
Fax: (215) 708-8226
e-mail: josiemorales@,juno.com
Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity
Interested women should contact:
Sr. Beth Henkin, MSBT
3501 Solly Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
Phone: (215) 335-7534
Fax: (215) 335-7511
e-mail: voc@msbt.org
Blessed Trinity Missionary institute
Interested persons should contact:
BTMI General Custodian
1050 Long Hill Road
Stirling, NJ 07980
(908) 647-5311
mgmhayes@gateway.net
Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
Interested men should contact:
in the United States of America:
Fr. Ray Riding ST
1292 Long Hill Road
Stirling, NJ 07980
Phone: (800) 298-5602
Fax: (908) 647-6045
e-mail:
frrayst@aol.com
in Mexico:
Fr. Jesus Palomares Vega ST
Apartado Postal 69-623
Mexico D.F. 04610
Phone: (011) 525-617-9654
Fax: (011) 525-617-9654
in South and Central America and the Carribean:
Fr. Carlos Gordon ST
Apartado Postal 191-3 1 00
Santo Domingo de Heredia
Costa Rica C.A.
Phone: (011) 506-244-05 5 7
Fax: (011) 244-0266
Prayer for Vocations
God our Father, we pray that you would bless our church, and especially the Cenacle Family, with many members who are filled with a missionary spirit.
Extend your call to our youth, and instill in them the desire to devote themselves to you and to the service of your people, especially in the abandoned areas of your vineyard.
Strengthen us in the vocation we have received. May our lives give witness to others of the joy of serving you.
We ask this through Christ your son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.