“Those to be received, furthermore, should be meek and modest, talented and docile, eager for real virtue, and ready to obey. They should be genteel in manners, free to enter religious life, unsullied in conduct, and well-composed in spirit. Relying upon divine help, they should aspire with all their heart to the saintly life of Seraphic perfection and the observance of regular discipline…"
Constitutions Chap. II, Art. 9, §71
Candidates Who Desire to Become Clerics (Priests)
“The documents which those who wish to become clerics in the Order must present before admission are the following: 1) Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation. 2) Testimonial letters from the Ordinary of the place of birth… 3) If the candidates have been in some other seminary or college, testimonial letters must be also secured… 4) Clerics who desire to enter the Order must present besides the authentic document of their last ordination testimonial letters… 5) A physician’s certificate concerning their physical health.
Constitutions Chap. II, Art 10, §78
Candidates to the Lay Brotherhood: Their Qualities & Their Postulancy
“...candidates to the lay brotherhood must meet the following requirements. They must not have wives, or sons, or daughters. *They must not be over thirty years of age. They should be skilled in some craft useful to the friars, the convent, and the Order...the lay bother candidate should be capable of easily adapting himself to the regulations and customs of religious life; in bodily vigor, he should be able to serve the Order in the tasks required of him."
Constitutions Chap. II, Art. 11, §83-84
Franciscan Oblate Brothers
“Oblates, or those who desire merely to lead with us a devout life without formally making a novitiate and profession, shall not be admitted to the Order, unless the necessary information has been obtained concerning their good moral character and health, and unless the following requirements are fulfilled:
1. They shall donate all their possessions to the convent. 2. They shall wear the garb of postulants. 3. They shall live a strictly common life with the rest of the friars. 4. They shall be under the obedience of the local Superiors. 5. They must be over twenty years old.
Those who desire to roam at will outside the enclosure and do not wish to obey the Superiors, although they have dedicated themselves and their possessions to the Order, shall not be admitted as oblates. The habit may not be given them nor may they live in the convents, but they may be inscribed among the spiritual sons and friends of the Order. As benefactors they may participate in all the spiritual favors of our Order which may be communicated to them, as to benefactors, according to the indults of the Sovereign Pontiffs.”
Constitutions Chap. II, Art. 23 §171-172
Please contact us for information if you wish to consider being an Oblate with us. Candidates will be subject to the previously mentioned requirements as listed above. Further, acceptance will be considered on an individual, case-by-case basis, with the final determination being made in favour of the spiritual life of the Convent and its friars.
Special Notes About Vocations
First and foremost, anyone thinking that they can be quickly ordained to the priesthood by joining this or any other reputable religious community or Order will be sadly mistaken and greatly disappointed. So, if this is your thought or motivation, please don't waste time here.
Religious life is a distinct calling from God, not an express lane to Holy Orders. Those who wish to join the Convent of St. John the Baptist will first complete their formation and religious studies as Franciscans: Postulancy (6 months), Novitiate (1 year), Triennial Vows (3 years), and then Solemn Profession. This is a minimum of 4½ years, but this time-frame may be extended for a longer period if the Superior feels it is spiritually necessary for the Candidate. Only after Solemn Professions will one be considered for seminary studies and ordination.
Secondly, the Convent of St. John the Baptist will not accept or sponsor vocations outside of the USA. This is mostly due to changing immigration policies & associated application fees, and also because it is more difficult (time consuming and expensive) to follow-up on background checks.
The Superior and Convent Guardian will gladly try to assist those who wish to find a religious house in their area, or they are encouraged to research religious communities listed in the TRADITIO Directory at www.traditio.com.
