The Associate Program

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The Basilians accept into their Associate Program men under 40 years of age who have completed secondary education. This program is designed to familiarize the inquiring man with the Basilian community and allow the community to know and experience living with him before a commitment is made.

Basilians look for a number of characteristics in men considered for membership in the Congregation. The foremost is a strong faith in God and devotion to the Church, then a desire to participate in teaching and evangelization, the work of the Congregation. A desire to pray and to grow in a life of prayer plus the desire to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ through the Church is also important. The community expects its members to have personal conviction that the work and life of the Basilians is the best way for them to achieve their own happiness and to further the work of the Church in the world. The candidate should have some knowledge of the meaning and implications of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and a strong desire to live the vowed life. Since community life is also very important, each member must be able to live and work with his fellow Basilians and he must have an ability to contribute to community living by his work and goodwill. Candidates must be intellectually capable of completing a bachelor’s degree as well as capable of completing seminary courses of theology and related subjects. Candidates must give evidence of emotional and physical health as well as an ability to relate to others and to work with them to serve the People of God.

A candidate wishing to enter the Congregation of St. Basil first selects a spiritual director. After three months of spiritual direction, he completes an Associate Application form. This application includes two letters of reference, academic transcripts, a medical exam, and an interview with the director of vocations. Also, as an associate he will have a psychological evaluation to help in discerning his suitability for religious life and priesthood. Of course, all information gathered is strictly confidential, and is known only to the vocation director and the superior general.

The Associate Program offers a unique opportunity to experience life in a Basilian community, and to work in one of the community’s apostolates – usually in a school. As an Associate, the candidate has made no commitment to enter the Congregation nor has the Congregation promised to accept him into any further level of membership.

Continue to read about the Novitiate