Postulancy

"This will be a wonderful experience, no matter what!"
Marist Postulant

Once a person has completed the initial discernment and candidacy process, we invite him to apply to the postulancy program. The postulancy program is a 10-month period designed to introduce a person to Marist religious life and to prepare him for the novitiate. In the application, he writes a letter expressing his desire to be a Marist and submits certificates of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

At this point, he would also undergo physical, psychological, and behavioral assessments and write an autobiography. He will also be invited to spend a couple of months living in a Marist community. Candidates are asked to pray and reflect on their call to religious life and make certain that they do not feel called to married life.

The Formation Director then reviews the application and supporting materials. After this, three Marists interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the Provincial. The Marists would then accept a candidate as a postulant.

During this segment of discernment, the postulant experiences communal religious life and learns about the Marist history and charism. During the postulancy, candidates may take courses at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.