Post-novitiate

Throughout the formation process today,
students interact with laity in the classroom
as well as in ministerial environments.

This is absolutely necessary, since
the Church will prosper in the future
only with a closer collaboration
between laity and religious.
Mark Kenney, SM

Marist College, the post-novitiate, is located in Washington, DC. Candidates for the Marist priesthood spend four years studying theology at the Washington Theological Union and have an apostolic year in a school or parish before they make perpetual vows to the Provincial and are ordained to the diaconate by a bishop. After Marists become deacons, they are generally ordained to the priesthood within one year.

Candidates who plan to be Marist brothers study theology for two years at the post-novitiate and take time to develop their specific talents, such as gerontology or administration, before they spend a year in apostolic work. They are then ready to make perpetual vows.

The preparation for a lifetime of Marist service is deliberate and prayer-filled. It is also amazingly rewarding and a tremendous opportunity for growth.