Schoenstatt Fathers Nigeria

VOCATION & FORMATION

Vocation & Discernment

“And He went up on the mountain, and called to Him those whom He desired; and they came to Him.” (Mk. 3:13)

Vocation is a call from God and the acceptance of the call through total abandonment to the will of God out of genuine love to serve Him in others. Vocations in life vary according desires and calls. In other to discover your vocation in life, a special spiritual journey into self is necessary through a process of discernment guided by a spiritual director. Spiritual direction helps in a great way to encourage and discover the best vocation for life. 

Discernment is a process by which you discover God’s will and purpose for your life. It helps you to digest, clarify and distinguish the impulses and desires within your heart. Discernment helps one to know if he is called to the single life, married life, Priesthood or religious life. It also involves the discovering of the right diocese, congregation, institute and religious community to join

Diocesan Priest & Religious Priest
All Catholic priests are ordained to serve, preach, teach, minister the sacraments and shepherd the people of God. They all go through long seminary formation and are trained according to Canon Law to fulfill this mission, though the level and scope of the formation may vary. There are many similarities among them, but not all Catholic priests are the same. 

Some belong to a religious order, congregation or Institute, and others are diocesan priests. Diocesan Priests belong to a particular Diocese and serve the pastoral needs of the same. They don’t live in community, don’t have rule of life, and take promises of Obedience, Celibacy and to live a life of priestly simplicity. 

As Institute of Religious Priest, the Schoenstatt Fathers live in community, have a style of life and make contract of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. We are not Diocesan and do not live as one. 

Years of Formation

The course of studies begins with the 4-years course of philosophy/Postulancy. This is followed by a 2-years novitiate, though, some class may have one year pastoral experience before the novitiate  and then 3-year theological studies. All our students study at St. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija,in Ibadan. Upon completion of theological studies a 1-year time of internal formation is then organized which includes practicum.

             

Do you feel called to serve God as a Schoenstatt Father?

Qualifications for acceptance to the Schoenstatt Fathers

Baptized, confirmed and practicing Roman Catholic young MEN between the ages of 18-21 with a desire to serve God and His people as a Schoenstatt Father must possess the following general qualifications:

  • Faith in, and love for, Christ and His Church.
  • Good moral character.
  • A SSCE (WAEC/NECO) with 5 credits including English, Mathematics and Christian Religious knowledge. JAMB score of 200 above in English, Christian Religious Knowledge & 2 other subjects. NB: Agriculture & Biology are not acceptable together. 6 credits for those combining two results. 
  • Emotional balance and maturity.
  • Good physical health.
  • Psychological readiness and capacity to pursue a sustaining, life-long commitment.
  • A deepening habit of prayer and a balanced devotional life.
  • Maturity to recognize and the willingness to respond to the needs of others.
  • Readiness to serve in the manner to which he is called by God, through his Major Superior.
  • A developing spirit of detachment that helps him be in the world but not of the world.
  • Freedom to enter this state in life.

HOW TO APPLY

                                                                                                                                                                                           

1. A Hand-written application Letter should be addressed to the Vocations Director by post or E-mail. 

2. The application letter should be scanned and sent to the Vocations Office Email:vocations@schoenstatt-fathers.org

3. Kindly check that you are qualified to apply before sending in your Letter of Application. 

4. Application is OPEN from 1st September  to 15th of January each academic year.        

                                                                                                                                

Contact Address:

OFFICE OF THE VOCATIONS DIRECTOR

Schoenstatt Fathers Community

GPO Box 37085, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State.

Email: vocations@schoenstatt-fathers.org

Phone: +2347017548752.