Called to the Passion: Your Journey to the Passionist Priesthood and Brotherhood in Kenya
The St. Charles Lwanga Vice-Province of the Passionist Fathers welcomes young men who feel a "fire in their hearts" to keep alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Becoming a Passionist priest is a journey of deep prayer, community life, and service to the "crucified" of today—the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized.
Below are the formal stages of formation for those discerning a vocation with the Passionists in Kenya.
Phase 1: Contact and Discernment
Before entering a house of formation, a candidate must undergo a period of initial discernment. This is a "getting to know you" phase for both the candidate and the congregation.
Requirements: Usually, a candidate must have a minimum grade of C+ (plus) in the KCSE (or equivalent)
Vocation Workshops: You will be invited to attend "Come and See" programs, often held at the Passionist Initial Formation Community, currently in Sotik Loaction in the Diocese of Kericho.
Apostolic Work: Candidates are encouraged to be active in their home parishes (e.g., PMC, Altar Servers, or Youth Groups).
a) Come and See Program
Willing candidates are invited for a Come and See Program, where they experience the with those already in the process the life, this helps them to live the life beyong the communications they we making. After about 3-7days, the Candidates are released to retun to their homes, awaiting an Intake Interview Prog where they togther with other applicants shall be invited.
b) Intake Interview Program
After the Come and See Program, some will be invited for the Intake Interview, where they will be interrogated with a select committe that is compossed of formators in different stages of formation. Once they are convinced about the candidate, they will provide them either at the end of the Intake Program or sent to them late via email the feedback. Those who suceed in this stage, shal now the invited for the 1 year Spiritual/Residence Period. Currently taking palce at our Residence Community in Sotik Laction in the Bomet County; Kericho Catholic Diocese.
Phase 2: Resisdence/Spiritual Stage
Here, the candidates are introduced to the 3 pillars of religious life that entails: Community life, Prayer Life and Common Labour apart from many other common responsibilities and partial Spiritual studies. The formator helps them to understand themselves better and initiate them into a different style of life in prepariation for the life they intend to embrace and they dicern day by day. This period lasts at least 1 year.
Phase 3: Philosphical Studies/Postulancy (1–2 Years)
At the end of the Residence year, successful candidates, proceed for different levels of studies. Priestly candidates proceed for 3 years intence Degree in the Philosophical studies currently in Arusha Tanzania, or sent may be sent any country with the consent of the Superior and his council. The Brotherhood Candidates on teh ender hand, proceed to take a Diploma Course for 2 years at any Catechetical school. Its during the years of studies that the young apisrants are enrolled into the Postulancy Stage, which is the first formal stage of community life.
Focus: Transitioning from secular life to religious life.
Studies: Introduction to the life of St. Paul of the Cross (the founder), the History of the Congregation, and basic Christian doctrine.
Goal: To determine if the candidate has the emotional and spiritual maturity to proceed.
Phase 4: The Novitiate (1 Year)
Upon the succesful completion of, Philosophical and Catechetical studies, both the brotherhood and priesthood candiadtes upon application, are admitted to the Novitiate Stage. This is the most "intense" spiritual year. It is a time of withdrawal from the world to focus entirely on the interior life and the Passion of Christ.
The Habit: At the start of this year, the novice is usually clothed in the Passionist Habit (the black tunic with the "Sign").
Canonical Year: This year is strictly governed by Church law. Novices do not engage in academic studies but focus on prayer, the Vows (Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, and the Fourth Vow—to promote the memory of the Passion), and the Rule of the Congregation.
Location: For the Kenyan Vice-Province, this often takes place in a quiet, contemplative setting currently in Molo Location. in the Nakuru Catholic Diocese.
Phase 5: Theological Studies
After the Novitiate, the candidate takes Temporary Vows, which are renewed annually. He then begins his formal academic preparation for the priesthood, currently at the Tangaza University for 4 years or any other country as upon approval by the Superior and his council. The brother candidates, may proceed with other required courses useful to the Congregation like accounts, machanics, toilering, nursing, education etc
Philosophy (3 Years): Studying the foundations of human thought, often conducted at integrated institutes like
Theology (4 Years): Deep study of Scripture, Liturgy, and Sacramental Theology. This prepares the candidate for the intellectual demands of the priesthood.
Phase 6: Pastoral Year
Young confreres upon the completion of their studies, take one pastoral year, coming after Theology to work in Passionists missions, and parishes in order to experience the practical side of their charism with the Christians.
Phase 7: Perpetual Profession and Ordination
This is the culmination of the journey. Brother Confreres together with those priesthood candidates whom they joined with, make their Perpetual Profession after their application for the same. These makes them all Passionists now. Then the priesthood candidates, slighly proceed ahead for Dioconate Ordination. After the Diaconate Ordination which lasts at least 6 months to priesthood, if found worthy, get ordained as priests.
Final Vows: After several years of temporary vows, the candidate makes a lifelong commitment to the Congregation.
Diaconate: The candidate is ordained a Deacon, serving the altar and the Word for at least 6 months.
Priesthood: Finally, through the laying on of hands by a Bishop, the candidate is ordained a Passionist Priest, ready to be sent to any mission in Kenya or abroad.
Are You Ready to Respond?
The Passionists are looking for men who are compassionate, prayerful, and ready to stand with those who suffer.
Contact Information: If you feel called, you may reach out to the Vocation Director on the contact information column provided.
For more information reach out to the Vocation's Director Office on the Contact Column
