Postulancy (4 Months) is the first stage of spiritual formation. During this initial stage of formation the postulants reside at the abbey and participate in the life of the community in various ways. They begin their spiritual and academic formation by participating in the liturgical life of the community and by attending classes with the novices. The purpose of the postulancy is to introduce the new candidates into the lifestyle of a consecrated religious and to begin the necessary adjustment form life in the world to life at the abbey. These first months of formation are also meant to assist the postulant in discerning his vocation more clearly and arriving at the level of awareness and maturity necessary to advance to the novitiate. This period of postulancy usually lasts four months. The postulant wears a black suit and the distinctive silver crucifix that is the mark of all St. Michael’s aspirants.

Novitiate (2 Years) marks the initiation of official membership in the Order and begins with visitation in the white habit of the Norbertines. Postulants are vested on Christmas Eve day and given a religious name that they will bear for the rest of their religious life.  In the usual two-year novitiate, novices focus their attention on spiritual formation as they continue to be introduced more fully into the life of the abbey community. Union with God and with the brethren is fostered through a common life of regular prayer, study, work and recreation. The academic formation during this stage focuses on a more complete and mature understanding of Catholic doctrine, spirituality, liturgy and the essentials of consecrated religious life. The specific identity, charism and history of Augustinian canonical life and the Norbertine Order and of St. Michael’s Abbey are also studied with a view to authentically living out our specific vocation in fidelity to our rich patrimony and spiritual heritage.

Juniorate (3-6 Years) begins with the novice’s profession of poverty, consecrated celibacy, and obedience for three years. During this period of formation, seminarians continue to live out their commitment to the life of the evangelical counsels and begin their formal ecclesiastical studies in preparation for priestly ordination.  They renew their vows during this time of formation while continuing their ecclesiastical studies.
Philosophical studies: Juniors begin their two-year course of studies in Thomistic Philosophy. If they have not had at least two years of college, they will also take basic Liberal Arts courses by correspondence in a university level distance education program.
Theological studies: Juniors continue their ecclesiastical studies in preparation for priestly ordination in Rome. There they begin four years of theological studies,while residing at the Norbertine Generalate and Collegio and attending classes at one of the Pontifical Universities.
 
Canon Regular: After the initial three years of temporary profession, juniors renew their temporary commitment and with the recommendation of the community they make a request to make solemn profession of perpetual vows.  Solemn profession advances the junior to full and complete membership in the Canonry of St. Michael’s Abbey, thus becoming a Canon Regular. He irrevocably vows the religious life of the evangelical counsels according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order.

Diaconate: Some time after solemn profession, the newly professed canon regular prepares for ordination to the transitional deaconate.  During the diaconate year the deacon assists the abbot and the priest around the altar, sings the gospel, delivers homilies, serves the community and prepares for his priestly ordination.

Priesthood: Having completed at least a year as a deacon, the canon regular is promoted to the priesthood by the “imposition of hands” of the bishop.  As a priest, the canon regular begins his priestly ministry teaching during the week and assisting on the weekends at local parishes, all the while living his religious consecration in community with his confreres.

» Program of Priestly Studies