ASPIRANCY AND ORIENTATION
The very beginning
Aspirancy
Aspirancy begins when a young man expresses his interest of becoming a missionary priest with the SMA to one of our Directors of Vocations. During this time, the Director of Vocations with help the aspirant to determine whether or not he is ready to begin the formal application process. Aspirancy is a step of commitment which invites you to consider more seriously if our Lord is calling you to be a missionary and to begin to understand just what the shift from your current life into a missionary life will entail, and whether this is truly a realistic option for you. The aspirancy stage lasts at least a year. The candidates who have the requirements and whose applications were accepted would be invited to interviews during which more discernment and screening are done. After the final interview the successful candidates are admitted into the SMA Preparatory Programme.
Orientation
The Preparatory Programme can be considered as a continuation of the aspirancy. The programme is designed to prepare the candidates for the studies and formation they are going to embark upon. During this period, among many other things, – they learn more about the SMA through the study of the history, the mission, the charism, the spirituality and the lifestyle. – they are introduced to community which is a pillar of our lifestyle. – the SMA discovers more about the candidates through various activities and assessments. The programme lasts 9 months and the successful candidates will proceed to the SMA Formation House to continue their formation.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
If you feel an intense vocation within you…
FIRST CYCLE
And the Adventure Begins
The First Cycle of formation comprises of two stages: the Philosophical Studies and the Spiritual Year.
Philosophical Studies
During the first part of the First Cycle, the SMA students aspiring to Priesthood undertake studies that include an adequate knowledge of Philosophy (according to the canonical requirement) and also subjects specific to SMA training. The philosophical studies is an undergraduate programme which lasts four years and it is done in our formation house in Ibadan.
The Spiritual Year
This programme is very central in the journey of a-would-be SMA member. It takes place in an international setting with SMA students from different parts of the world for an intensive spiritual, missionary, intellectual and human development formation for one full year. The purposes of this year are as follows: – to give students an opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of themselves and their personal relationship with Jesus Christ; – to reflect on and develop their vocation; – to give them a greater understanding of the Society’s mission and history; – and to prepare them for their first missionary commitment. At the end of the programme, the successful candidates take their oath of temporary membership in the SMA.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
If you feel an intense vocation within you…
SECOND CYCLE
Marching ON
The Second Cycle of formation ends the period of initial formation. It comprises of the Stage and the Theological Studies.
Stage
It is also called pastoral year. Stage is the time of a direct, supervised experience of the reality of missionary life and work in the SMA through a substantial period of missionary training in Africa and outside one’s country of origin. It opens the new temporary members up for firsthand missionary experience alongside an experienced SMA pastoral community. Stage has a minimum duration of nine months.
Théological Studies
After mission experience, the candidate is sent to any of the SMA theological formation houses around Africa (Kenya, Ivory Coast or Nigeria) for the second face phase of his formation, basically to study theology and manifest good knowledge of the society’s life style and maturity required for pastoral and missionary responsibility. At the end of these studies, the candidate may be admitted to a permanent commitment into the SMA through an Oath, making him a missionary and preparing him for pastoral ministry through conferral of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The theological studies lasts four years.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
