The Aspirancy

Aspirancy is the first year/s of candidates’ life in the Society. During the year/s of Aspirancy, the candidates are helped to enrich their human personality, deepen their Christian life and are gradually introduced to the Pauline Spirit and Apostolate.

1. Goals:

• Growth into human maturity (physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, etc.).
• Faith-formation.
• Clarifying one's Vocation to religious life.
• Initiation into Pauline life and apostolate.
• Basic communication skills in English language.

2. Programme for the First Year of Aspirancy:

Conduct regular classes on the following subjects:

• Languages: English, Hindi and local language. Special attention should be given to English grammar, spoken English, phonetics, voice training, reading practice, etc.
• Scripture: General information on the Bible.
• Spiritual initiation: Pauline prayers and common devotions, basic catechism, participation in the liturgy especially in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation and instruction on Christian, Religious and Pauline Vocation.
• Human formation: Good manners, discipline and group building.
• Basic knowledge in computers, internet and modern media.
• Apostolate: gradual introduction into the spiritual and practical aspects of our apostolate. Teach them why we do apostolate and how it is different from mere work.
• Sacred music and co-curricular activities.
• Regular personal interviews.
• Foundational classes on Founder and Congregation.
• Present candidates’ report to the local council for approval.
• Retreat.

Goal to be achieved: Clarification of intention and workable knowledge of English and Hindi languages.

N.B. It is recommended that students who have completed plus two form a separate group in order to give them special attention and training.

3. Programme for the Second and the Third Years of Aspirancy:

1. Greater mastery of English and Hindi.
2. Intermediate studies.
3. Learning to read, listen to and meditate on the Word of God, and fruitful participation in the Mass, Eucharistic Visit and shared prayer, etc.
4. Initiation to spiritual direction.
5. Regular personal meeting with the master.
6. Human formation: short-term courses on human relationship, personality development, self-awareness, motivation, sex education, etc.
7. Classes on Founder, Charism and Pauline Spirituality.
8. Theoretical and practical classes on computer, internet and media.
9. Sacred music.
10. Instruction on Pauline apostolate and insertion into practical apostolic activities.
11. Present candidates’ report to the local council for approval.
12. Retreat.

 Means:

According to the criterion of integral formation, one should take care to develop in the candidate Human, Christian, Religious and Apostolic spirit through the following means:

• A full integration into the community of formation where the candidate is called to experiment the authenticity of his vocation (cfr RF, 193).

• A constant contact and familiarity with the Word of God, participation in the Eucharistic celebration, frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation (cfr RF, 193.1).

• Master’s personal and constant accompaniment.

• A serious programming of the studies; language studies as well as studies like Pauline Spirituality and Charism, mass media, religious life, personality development and self-awareness, etc.

 Evaluation:

• Evaluation on the general performance of candidates has to be done at the end of each Semester.
• The evaluation will include candidate’s prayer life, community life, sense of belonging to the Congregation, apostolic life, physical and mental health, affective maturity, obedience and intellectual capacities.
• Report of the candidates' performance should be sent to their parents and parish priest after each semester examination.
• If an aspirant leaves or is asked to discontinue, the matter has to be communicated to the candidate's parents and parish priest in writing with the reason. This has to be done in consultation with the Vocation Co-ordinator.
• The fitness of an aspirant for promotion to Postulancy should be evaluated by the local Council for Formation.
• If there are doubts about the fitness of a candidate, he may be given another opportunity or may be asked to discontinue.
• On promotion to Postulancy a detailed report on each candidate must be sent to the master of Postulants.

Goal to be achieved: Clarity over the choice of life and human-Christian integrity.