Is He Calling you to be an MDM Priest?
STAGES OF FORMATION IN THE CONGREGATION OF MISSIONARIES OF DIVINE MERCY FATHERS AND BROTHERS{MDM}
Given that any authentic and genuine vocational discernment must as a necessity, take cognizance of the four ever important aspects of formation, namely: Human Formation, Intellectual Formation, Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Formation, The Congregation of Missionaries Of Divine Mercy Fathers And Brothers (MDM) through a step by step process has the following under its formation pattern:
POSTULANCY
Having previously attended Divine Mercy Academy which is a prerequisite for admission, once admitted into the MDM Congregation, the candidate begins his formation as a Postulant during which he stays with an MDM Priest in the parish for one year experience. At the expiration of this experience, the candidate is invested with cassock in preparation for philosophical studies in the Major Seminary which often lasts for four years.
PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
Towards the end of the candidate’s postulancy, he will be required to write JAMB which is a prerequisite for gaining admission into the Major Seminary for four years Philosophical Studies at the end of which the candidate will obtain Bachelor of Arts (B.A) from the Affiliate Nigerian University and Bachelor of Philosophy (B. Phil) from Pontifical Urbanian University,Rome.
PASTORAL YEAR
Upon the completion of four years philosophical studies, the candidate is sent to a parish for one year Apostolic Work otherwise called Pastoral Year.
NOVITIATE
Immediately after the Pastoral Year, the successful candidates/ seminarians will be admitted into MDM novitiate which canonically lasts for ONE YEAR. Upon the completion of this program, the successful seminarians will make their First Religious Profession(by taking Vows of Obedient, Chastity and Poverty) thereby becoming MDM members. Consequently,they will receive MDM HABIT as well as the Congregation’s Rule of Life.
Of course, during the Novitiate the NOVICES are keenly schooled on the Life, Charism, Apostolate and the Spirituality of the Congregation in accordance with the Mission of our Lord Jesus Christ- the Divine Mercy Incarnate.
PROFESSION
There are two forms of Profession in the Congregation Of Missionaries Of Divine Mercy Fathers And Brothers. The first is Simple/Temporal, and is made at the completion of the novitiate. The second is Solemn or Perpetual, made at the end of the third year theology.
SIMPLE PROFESSION
At the end of the one year novitiate, the Novice applies for Simple Vows. If judged suitable by the Novice Master and the Vocation Team, the Novice will be allowed to make his First Religious Profession which will be binding on him for one year at the end of which it is renewed. Here, the brother vows Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity for one year.
SOLEMN PROFESSION
After the third renewal, if judged worthy the brother is admitted into Final Profession by the governing body of the Congregation. Here, the Confere vows to follow Christ as an MDM until death.
THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Meanwhile, immediately after the First Profession of Vows, the Confere aspiring to the Priesthood is sent back to the Major Seminary for theological studies during which he continues to renew his vows.
HOLY ORDER
While in fourth year theology, if certified by the Seminary and the Congregation, the Confere is ordained a DEACON which is transitional in that after six months the Reverend will be ordained a Priest. And thereafter, the priest is assigned where to work while continuing with On-going Formation.
FOR APPLICATION
For those who wish to apply you can contact The Congregation of Missionaries Of Divine Mercy Fathers And Brothers (MDM) through the email below
divinemercyvocations@gmail.com