This year at the welcoming ceremony for the new postulants in Chicago at St. Bonaventure Friary, we welcome new Postulants. Pictured above are Friar Joe Bayne, James Muzzey, Adam Wozniak, César Perez, and Friar Paul Schneider.
The initial stage of Franciscan formation is called postulancy. The word comes from the Latin, postulare, which means “to consider.” An aspirant “considers” the Franciscan life during our nine-month residential program of preparation for formal acceptance into the Order.
Postulancy
Formation begins when a candidate is accepted into Holy Name Province as a postulant. During the welcoming ceremony, each postulant receives a blessed Tau cross to wear – a favorite symbol of St. Francis of Assisi, who used it as his signature. Postulants are not yet friars and take no vows; instead, postulancy gives men time to ease into the rhythm of Franciscan fraternal life with daily prayer, Eucharist, common meals, recreation, and ministerial activities. Each postulant is assigned a formation director to help guide him through this beginning stage and aid in the process of discernment. The postulancy program lasts from one to two years.
Please continue to pray for all those called to a vocation.
Is God calling you? Explore more information about Becoming a Franciscan Friar