Answer the Call
Dare to Discern God's Call
Is God calling you to serve boldly? Learn more about what it means to Discern with an Oblate Vocation Director - and learn about our Formation process for Men pursuing their vocation as a professed member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Spiritual
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Do I have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
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Do I pray regularly and attend Mass regularly?
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Am I active in my parish?
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Do I respect the Church and her teachings?
Generous Heart
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Do I have a love for service to God and his people?
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Am I willing to sacrifice for the good of others?
Love for the Poor
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Can I see myself working on behalf of the poor?
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Am I able to speak up for those being treated unjustly?
Intellectual
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Do I have the ability and desire to do academic study?
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Do I have an ability to articulate the faith to others?
Openness
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Do I work well with cultures different than my own?
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Can I work well with men and women in a collaborative style?
Emotional
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Do I have good emotional health and a healthy self-image?
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Do I negotiate the ups and downs of life well?
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Do I have good, healthy friendships and an ability to make new ones?
Social
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Do I like being around people?
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Do people like being around me?
Self-Discipline
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Does my life reflect the ability to live the commandments?
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Do I keep the commitments I have made?
Discernment Questions
Questions to Ask Yourself...
Perhaps it is more than a thought; perhaps it is the Holy Spirit working in you to help you come to know your vocation
Here are some questions to help you discern if you might be a good candidate for the vocation of priest or brother.
A willingness to work on a develop these traits is important - we are all called to grow into the version of ourselves that God asks us to become.
Formation
Dare to be Formed as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate
All of our Oblates participate in our Formation Program. The goal of formation is to help each candidate become an apostolic man capable of living the Oblate charism.
Step One
Pre-Novitiate
The point of entry to Oblate formation follows high school or college. It is a time to familiarize the candidate with Oblate life and ministry, and to assist him in discerning his vocation.
During the pre-novitiate, the candidate completes four years of college or studies of courses in philosophy required by the Church for priestly ministry. The pre-novitiate for college graduates is one or two years.
Step Two
Novitiate
This is time of initiation into religious life as an Oblate. This one-year period leads up to public commitment when the candidate becomes a vowed religious and a member of the Oblates.
During the novitiate year there is focus on spiritual life, the purpose of the vows, community life, the history and traditions of the Oblates and ministry.
Step Three
Post-Novitiate
During this time, the newly professed Oblate pursues education and training to priesthood or brotherhood. For priesthood, the candidate studies clerical theology and for brotherhood, the candidate studies professional courses to develop their particular skills for Oblate ministry.
Step Four
Priestly Ordination
Initial Formation ends with the Oblate making his Perpetual Oblation, followed by his Ordination.