How is a Brother’ vocation discerned?
Discernment is made at all stages of formation. – For admission to the postulancy, discernment is made with one’s spiritual director, together with the Prior of the house where the candidate enters. – Admission to the Novitiate is decided by the Prior General. During the time of Novitiate, the Novice Master, helped by his assistants, is responsible for discerning the Novice’s vocation. – Admission to simple profession, decided by the Prior General, is preceded by a consultative vote of the chapter of the Priory where the Novitiate is made. – Admission to final profession depends upon a special chapter (called “Chapter of Formation”) whose members include the Prior General, the Novice Master and the final professed Brothers of the Priory of formation. The decision is made through a secret deliberative vote.
