MONASTIC FORMATION

Monastic formation is a systematic path of asceticism and knowledge that a monk pursues under the guidance of monastic priests specially appointed for this purpose and with the help of a curriculum determined by the superiors.

Monastic education, in addition to the Statute of the Order, is outlined in the document “General Plan of Basilian Formation” (Ratio formationis), which presents a program of education designed to help monks grow in their devotion to the Lord throughout their lives, according to the stages of monastic formation.

In practice, monastic education is divided into four stages: an introductory course to Basilian monastic life, novitiate, temporary monastic vows, perpetual vows, and the continuing deepening of monastic formation.

Introductory Examination – the introductory course to Basilian monastic life gives the candidate the opportunity to familiarize himself with the details of monastic life in the Order. The candidate, under the guidance of his assigned monk, has the opportunity to test and confirm his God-given vocation.

Novitiate. This is when the candidate takes on the monastic habit but does not yet take monastic vows. During the novitiate, the candidate is introduced to the spiritual life of the Order, especially to the practice of monastic prayer. At the same time, the novice learns the monastic rules and how to keep them.

Temporary monastic vows. After novitiate, the novice takes vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty. The vows are temporary, as they are taken for one year at a time for five years. During the time of their vows, monks are assigned to work and study according to their talents. Candidates for the priesthood begin their studies, and brothers take the necessary specialized courses or perform their assigned duties in the community. Completion of the novitiate does not mean that a monk has already attained the fullness of monastic perfection. Therefore, during the period of temporary vows, the monk continues to deepen his prayer life and gain experience in keeping monastic vows under the guidance of an experienced monk.

Lifelong monastic vows. Usually, after five years of temporary vows, when a monk has attained the inner conviction of his vocation to the consecrated life and has gained the relevant knowledge and spiritual experience, he takes the so-called lifelong profession, which binds him until death. After taking the lifelong profession, the appropriately prepared monk guards his heart, deepens his prayerful connection with God, and fulfills His will with the help of his confessors and abbots.

Constant deepening of monastic life. Every monk with a lifelong profession, due to the specific requirements and new circumstances of life and ministry, has the duty to develop and deepen his knowledge and use of the sacred sciences by participating in courses and programs of continuous formation for fidelity to the gospel ideals of following Christ and harmoniously combining apostolic activity with spiritual perfection.