according to the prescribed laws and methods, during postulancy, novitiate, and temporary profession. It is also to be continued through the subsequent periods of religious life in which, however, the immediate assistance of the formators is diminished, while greater emphasis is placed on personal effort and consciousness of one’s own duty. Mutual Solicitude 163The Congregation itself, sparing neither work nor expenses, should do its utmost to prepare and train for itself suitable men, who, first of all, are provided with the best possible spiritual formation in the ways of perfection and, then, diligently and appropriately instructed and trained to perform the works that the Congregation undertakes. All should remember that the Congregation’s vigor and progress depend most of all on the men who are its members—on their formation, spirit, knowledge, aptitude, devotion, and zeal. (D 105) CM 359 CHAPTER II FOSTERING VOCATIONS Seeking Candidates 164 We should meditate frequently on the words of Our Lord: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Mt 9:37). Therefore, the Congregation, in its desire to meet the apostolic needs of our time, should try in all possible ways to find for itself and for the entire Church suitable candidates who, endowed with a good character and well-educated by family, would be fit to receive priestly and religious formation. All confreres, together and singly, should realize that they are personally responsible for seeking out and cultivating workers for the Lord’s vineyard. (D 106) PC 24; RF 15 Prayer and Example 165The confreres should express concern for new vocations primarily through daily and fervent prayer to Formation 135
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