Marian Helper • Winter 2025-26 • Marian.org 13 priesthood,” explains Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC, rector of the Menlo Park Marian Residence. “They visited several different seminaries and, after reporting to our Provincial Superior, Fr. Chris Alar, and the Provincial Council, St. Patrick’s Seminary was chosen.” The area, Fr. Jim continues, has a thriving population and offers great promise for evangelization in the spirit of the Marian Renovator, Bl. George Matulaitis, to “go where the need is greatest.” “There are also very many ‘un-churched’ people living in the area,” he says. “It will be a good opportunity for our men to learn to speak and witness to people who may have had no exposure to Christianity in their upbringing, who do not know even the most basic stories from the Bible, and who may even be hostile to the Catholic faith.” The Marian men in formation at St. Patrick’s join more than 70 seminarians from archdioceses and dioceses in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Guam, South Korea, and Tanzania, as well as a small community of Vietnamese religious called Domus Dei and the Contemplatives of St. Joseph (COSJ). Ministry work The seminarians have regular meetings with spiritual directors, liturgical formators, psychological and counseling support staff, as well as academic advisers and music instructors. “We attend different talks and conferences designed to help us love and serve by giving ourselves more fully to the Church’s universal mission of salvation,” notes Br. David Bugajski, MIC. “And we are actively involved in various ministries that include hospice, hospital, jail, catechesis, parish, and other religious and charitable organizations. “I have met many outstanding men from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, which has helped me to better appreciate the universal character of the Church and God’s plan of salvation that does not exclude anyone,” he adds. “We are growing our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and being prepared in spirit to share the truth everywhere.” What is Marian formation? “Formation” involves training priests and religious on how to live well the specific vocation God is calling them to. Formation for the Marian Fathers typically takes 7-9 years before ordination. “Formation begins with postulancy, which normally lasts for one year, although it can be shortened to six weeks if the men have prior experience in another formation environment, such as a previous seminary or a priestly discernment program like the one at Franciscan University,” explains Fr. Jim, who works with Fr. Andy Davy, MIC, head of house in Steubenville, Ohio, and the Provincial Prefect of Formation. After postulancy, the men enter the one-year novitiate, in which they study and deepen their appreciation of the charism and mission of the Marian Fathers, the history of consecrated life, the life of prayer and discernment, and the evangelical councils, all in preparation for making first vows at the end of that year. After first vows, those who are studying for the priesthood take classes in philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville and can earn a bachelor’s degree if they don’t already have one. Then they go on to St. Patrick’s Seminary and earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree before being ordained, God willing, to the transitional diaconate and ultimately to the priesthood. Some men do not become priests but are instead called to serve as permanent brothers. Their formation may not be as academically rigorous and can be tailored to the individual gifts and interests of the brothers. Formation for the permanent brotherhood is a minimum of three years before final vows. Thank you! “I see this as an amazing opportunity for our seminarians,” says Fr. Jim. “Never before have we had such an integrated formation program for our seminarians, covering with such depth all of the necessary dimensions of priestly formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. It is our hope and expectation that this new formation opportunity will help shape our men to become the greatest possible instruments for bringing Mary and Mercy to the whole world.” All this is made possible by the ongoing generosity of Marian Helpers through the support of the annual Campaign for Holy Priests. “Thank you, dear Marian Helpers, for being a part of our Marian family and for your prayers and support,” Fr. Jim concludes, “which have helped make this important step in the improvement of our formation program a reality.” Please visit Marian.org/vocation-support or call 1-800462-7426 to help grow the next generation of Marian priests and brothers. ‘We have been wanting to provide a more thorough formation for seminarians that included solid human and pastoral formation.’
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