Formation for Brothers in the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod: A Journey to Love All, Especially the Unloved
The formation process for brothers in the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod (SDM) is a deeply spiritual and transformative journey. It is designed to nurture and develop the hearts of men called by God to live a life of service, faith, and charity, following the example of Christ, with a special focus on loving all, especially the unloved. The entire formation is a careful blend of academic study, spiritual growth, and pastoral experience, ensuring that each brother is thoroughly equipped to fulfil the mission of SDM.
Juniorate: The Foundation of the Religious Life
The first stage of formation begins with the Juniorate, where candidates undergo an initiation course into religious life. This is a time of spiritual awakening and personal reflection, where students are introduced to the foundational values of SDM. Here, they begin to learn the essence of community life, prayer, and service, preparing their hearts to embrace their calling fully. This initial stage helps students grow in their relationship with God and in their understanding of what it means to serve the Church and humanity, with a special focus on the most vulnerable—the unloved and forgotten. The Juniorate is based in Melnedungal, near Tirutani, in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu, India.
Novitiate: Discovering the Charism of the Founder and SDM’s Mission
After the Juniorate, the brothers enter into the sacred stage of the Novitiate. This period is crucial for the deepening of their vocation as it is marked by intense prayer, spiritual exercises, and learning the life of the founder and the charism of the SDM. During this stage, the novices delve deeply into the spirit of the Society, learning about the founder’s vision of loving the unloved and committing themselves to this mission. The novitiate is a time of discernment, where novices develop a clearer understanding of the life they are about to embrace and of their role in serving the poor, marginalized, and abandoned.
The Novitiate is located in Keechalam, near Tirutani, in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. This sacred site is not only a place of formation but also holds great spiritual significance, as it is home to the cemetery of our beloved founder. His final resting place serves as a constant source of inspiration and devotion for the brothers, reminding them of his profound legacy of loving the unloved and his tireless dedication to the mission of the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod
Philosophical Studies: Deepening the Mind
After completing their novitiate, the brothers stay at the SDM Study House in Karumathur and pursue their philosophical studies at Arul Anandar College, run by the Jesuits, in the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This stage provides a strong intellectual foundation in philosophy, ethics, and theological reflection, allowing the brothers to engage deeply with the spiritual and moral questions that shape their vocation. Through this formation, they develop the critical thinking and wisdom needed to better understand the human condition and the Church’s mission to love all, especially the unloved.
Regency: Learning Through Practical Ministry
Before entering theological studies, the brothers undertake a period of Regency, a year of hands-on, practical ministry in various apostolates of the Society. During this time, they are placed in different mission fields, where they learn to serve in remote parishes, orphanages, schools, and widows and marginalized groups. The Regency Year is a vital opportunity for the brothers to engage directly in the mission of loving and serving the unloved. Through this experience, they deepen their commitment to the poor and develop practical skills that will shape their future ministry as priests or brothers.
Theological Studies: Preparing for the Priesthood
Following their Regency, the brothers engage in theological studies at various theologates run by different dioceses and congregations. While Catholic theology remains the same, this exposure to different academic environments allows the brothers to explore diverse pastoral approaches and gain a richer understanding of how to apply theological principles in different contexts. Through this formation, which deepens their grasp of Catholic doctrine, Scripture, and sacramental theology, the brothers are prepared to serve the faithful with wisdom and compassion, always focused on the Church’s mission to love all, especially the unloved.
Diaconate Ministry: Serving Before Ordination
After completing their theological studies, the brothers are ordained as deacons, entering into the Diaconate Ministry. During this time, they serve in parishes and mission areas, gaining practical pastoral experience under the guidance of priests and mentors. This period helps the deacons cultivate their pastoral hearts and sharpen their understanding of the needs of the communities they will soon serve. The diaconate stage is a period of preparation for full ordination, where they live out the call to serve and love, especially the most marginalized.
Ordination: Becoming a Priest of the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod (SDM)
The final step in the formation process is Ordination, where the brothers are ordained as priests. At this sacred moment, they dedicate their entire lives to Christ’s mission and the service of His Church. As priests, they fully embrace their calling to love all, especially the unloved, becoming spiritual fathers who administer the sacraments, preach the Gospel, and serve the poor and needy with the heart of Christ. Through their ordination, they carry forward the founder’s vision, bringing hope, mercy, and love to the world’s most forgotten and neglected.
A Life Dedicated to Loving the Unloved
The formation in the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod (SDM)is not just a path to the priesthood—it is a journey of transformation, where young men are formed into instruments of God’s love and mercy. Every step of the process is rooted in the mission to love all, with a particular focus on the unloved and those most in need of care and compassion. Inspired by the founder’s vision, the brothers of SDM dedicate themselves wholly to the service of God and humanity, offering their lives to bring light, hope, and healing to those who have been forgotten by the world but are eternally loved by God.