Candidates who are accepted into the Initial Formation Program begin their journey as Postulants; a term that is used to describe a person seeking to enter a Religious Order.

Postulants spend at least one year living with friars in community. They participate in the life the friars, engage in some type of ministry, and are given the resources to help them develop the spiritual, psych-ological and emotional qualities necessary to live a healthy and joyful religious life. Because of the importance of this first year of formation, the Postulants are accompanied on their spiritual journey by a Spiritual Director with whom they meet on a regular basis to help them discern how God is working in their lives.

The second stage of Initial Formation is the year of Novitiate. The focus of this year  is the deepening of the relation-ship between the novice and God. The novice focuses on a more intense life of prayer and devotion in order to lay a foundation for his life of community and ministry.

The novice is introduced to the Rule of Life of the friars, the History of the Order, as well as  traditions that accompany the friar’s daily life. During this year the novice receives the Franciscan habit.

The Novitiate is located in Santa Barabara, California. Novices from the US-6 Provinces of the United States. At the conclusion of the year, the novice professes his first vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. These vows are renewed annually for a period of at least three years.

Our friars in the Post-Novitiate Program reside in either San Antonio, Texas, or Chicago, Illinois. In this stage of the Formation Program the students focus on developing in the Franciscan life, and in their ministerial and leadership skills. Academic studies are also an integral part of this Program. Students who feel called to the priesthood enroll in a Master’s Degree Program at the Oblate School of Theology (San Antonio) or Catholic Theological Union (Chicago). Students wishing to pursue degrees or training in other fields are also encouraged to follow their calling. The period of Initial Formation concludes with the friar’s Profession of Solemn Vows, an event which fully incorporates him into our Province and to the Franciscan Order. Friars who have not finished their studies, return to school to complete their degree.