Thank you for showing interest in our Missionary work.
If you wish to try out your vocation to the Columban Missions as a Priest. I will start by giving an out line of the programme.
Potential missionaries are interviewed and after a process of selection are invited to take part in the training programme which starts with an accompaniment period of about a year. During this time candidates are involved in local mission which includes crossing significant socio-cultural boundaries. Regular meetings are held to get to know each other and gain a greater understanding of the Society and in Particular the Columban Missionary Programme, its stated goals and policies and expectations.
This period is flexible. The candidate eventually makes a formal application and is then asked to undergo an appropriate psychological assessment. The candidate then submits references and undergoes a general medical examination. After this there are in-depth interviews by the assessment board. On acceptance the candidate may start the course as a Candidate for the Columban Missionary priesthood. After successful completion of the assessment he will enter the formation programme, which includes formal studies to degree level in Philosophy and Arts. Then a year of Spiritual formation will take place usually in the Republic of Philippines. On completion of the Spiritual year the candidate will continue studies in the Theology, Sacred Scripture, Missiology etc. again to degree level in the USA. There is also a period which is called ‘First Mission Assignment’ where the candidate will spend two years on a mission before returning to the Theology institute to complete studies and hopefully Ordination.
I hope that this is helpful to you. If you wish to make further enquiries would you please send us some information about yourself, your personal history, academic level and involvement in your local church, etc.
Look up our other web site: www.columban.com for more about the Columbans.
E-mail me at Director.columbans@btinternet.com
May the Good Lord grant you peace and joy.
Yours in Christ Jesus
Fr. Denis A.V. Carter SSC
Director.
