Claretian Formation

III. General Chapters215

1. IV General Chapter. Gracia 1876216

The Chapter did not deal with any important matter related to the vocational and formative theme. Interpreting n. 28 of the Constitutions, there is a small indication on how to awaken in the morning the members of large communities, such as Noviciates and Seminaries, and this is left to the criterion of the Superior.217

2. V General Chapter. Madrid 1888 218

Among the various themes related to vocations and formation, one may emphasise: 

2.1. Postulants

The Chapter asks219 that the postulants be diligently examined before they enter the Congregation, in order to ascertain if they possess the qualities prescribed by our Constitutions.220 The formative regime of the postulants
should be different from that of the novices and professed even though, for special reasons they may have to live together with them;221 for this reason it is deemed necessary to begin the reform of the regulations for postulants.222
It is very important to discern well the “character and behaviour” of the candidates in such a way as not to approve the entrance to the noviciate of those who do not give signs of “vocation and good spirit.”223

2.2. Novices

Once the building of the ex-University of Cervera is acquired, the Noviciate will be finally separated from the scholasticate and the postulancy. In this way it will be able to have the independence required by Church law.224 Emphasis is made on the need of exerting “utmost care and effort” in the discernment and vocational screening of the novices. To this end, the Superior and the Novicemaster are required:

1st. To observe the temperament and inclinations of the novices; their submission, piety and perseverance; their reactions in humiliations and in the recreations, etc…

2nd. To correct the defects they observe. If no favourable changes take place, they should “kindly and with good manners” persuade the novices to abandon the Congregation.

3rd. Lastly, to apply the questionnaire prescribed in the Congregation, which is based on what the Constitutions say about the qualities that the novices should have.225

2.3. Coadjutor Brothers

Among other things, the Chapter speaks on the formation of brothers. In principle, the conferences prescribed in the Constitutions226 should be given normally.

However, in the houses and residences where there are few brothers, they will be given only “conferences on Christian doctrine, how to make the spiritual exercises well and receive the holy Sacraments fruitfully, and on the observance of the Rules.” It is left to the Superior, in agreement with the General Government, to determine the number and the duration of the conferences.227

2.4. Teaching Apostolate

After asserting the convenience and the necessity to have always in the Congregation persons prepared for the ministry of teaching, the Chapter decreed:

1st. That this preparation be fostered by all possible means.

2nd. That classes of Pedagogy be organised and personnel be selected among Students and Brothers to enrol in them.

3rd. That, if the need arises, the appropriate titles or degrees be given them at the proper time, as well as the most reputable and recommended authors.

4th. In the last analysis, “that efforts should be painstakingly made so that the education given in our seminaries and the noviciate, as well as in our primary schools, be as perfect as possible.”228

2.5. Some Formative Criteria

1st. On the Visits to our Formation Centres
During the year of noviciate, the novices should not receive visits of any type. The postulants, students and brothers, outside exceptional cases, only once a week, concretely, on Thursdays in the morning.229

2nd. On the Works of the Professors
Normally, the professors of our boarding and non-boarding schools, are “completely excused from preaching and hearing confessions,” since they should dedicate themselves full time to prepare themselves well for the classes.”230

3rd. On Provincialism
Taking into consideration the great evils caused to religious life by both provincialism and nationalism, the Chapter laments the fact that “this darnel has been sown into our field” and calls the attention so that this evil, “source of many others,” may be eradicated. Concretely, it charges the Novicemasters and all Superiors to exert“extreme care” in the following:

a) By word and by example, promoting among the brothers, “the spirit of humility and detachment, of self- denial and apostolic charity.

b) Zealously and prudently watching and correcting them so that “such a calamity” may not spread among us.

c) Lastly, without consideration of any kind, denouncing to the General Government those who promote this evil.231

3. VI Extraordinary General Chapter. Cervera 1895232

3.1. Admission of Candidates

In the future no novice should be admitted to the profession if his parents are poor and are in need of his help.233 Regarding health, the postulants, upon entering the Congregation, should present a certificate of health. Moreover, it is especially recommended that they be “examined again before entering the Noviciate,” in order to discover any hereditary sicknesses that have at times been fatal.234

3.2. Formation of Students

The Chapter strongly requests that the Superiors of our centres “continue watching so that in every place there may be the befitting cleanliness and ventilation.”235 In the same way, because of the death of several students, the Chapter urges the Superiors and, more immediately, the Prefects:
1st. Not to allow the students to go to extremes like studying during rest time, writing for longer periods than what is proper, etc….236

2nd. To strive to prevent in the students excesses in running, making violent movements, drinking “something cold when they are perspiring,” humidity and draughts, etc….237

3.3. Criteria for Admission and Formation of Brothers238

1st. As a general rule, those who have not reached the age of 15 should not be admitted as aspirant brothers.

2nd. The aspirants, before being accepted, should have been tried “in the virtues more essential to the Religious state.”

3rd. It is necessary to ascertain very well their health condition. Therefore, in addition to the certificate of good health that they should bring upon entering the Congregation, they must again be examined by another physician.

4th. In case of doubt at the time of profession, the noviciate of the novice brothers may be extended for a period of six more months. At the end of this period, they are to be either accepted, or “irrevocably dismissed.”

5th. Both the Fr. Minister and the Novicemaster of the Brothers should “painstakingly avoid” the relationships between the professed and the novices. If a professed brother need be assigned to guide the novice brothers in
mechanical works, then some observant persons should be chosen for the task, who could “be for the novices a source of edification and not of spiritual ruin.”

3.4. Formators

1st. Prefect of Students

The Chapter interprets the text of the Constitutions that says that the prefects should not assign excessively long lessons to the students.239 Although this is the professors’ responsibility, the prefects should dialogue with them about this matter so as not to harm the health of the young missionaries.240

2nd. Professors
Attention is called to the professors of our seminaries and of our communities (lecturers of on-going formation) so that they may perform the function entrusted to them with “utmost care”.241

3rd. Local Ministers

It belongs to the Priest Ministers, as true formators and persons-in-charge of the brothers, to grant the permissions to go out of the house or have an outing.242

3.5. Some Formative Criteria

1st. On Prayer According to the Constitutions N. 88 of the Constitutions243 is adequately interpreted by affirming that the Superior of the formation centres
must see to it that all, Professed and Novices, “get abundant fruit from the spiritual practices.” To this effect, the practices designated should be the most suitable to the different sections.244

2nd. On the Monthly Account of Conscience

According to the Constitutions,245 the monthly account that should be sponte [voluntarily] given to the superior and the confessor “is not binding but directive.” Nevertheless, taking into account its importance for one’s spiritual and vocational life, the Chapter “cannot help strongly recommending this blessed practice. At the same time it encourages the preachers of our Communities to extol its excellence befittingly, and gently to exhort to the
practice of this important Rule.”246

3rd. On Studies
The textbooks for our centres, even against what some professor or superior might think, should be those published by our Congregation, keeping in mind the economy, the uniformity and the interest of the Congregation.247 The Chapter also calls the attention of the students for the criticisms against the professors or the authors of the text designated by the Congregation, and asks them to be “very respectful and humble” in this matter.248

As regards the teaching of languages, instead of doing it during the Grammar years, it should be done during the Philosophy studies. In this way the postulants will be able to study more Latin, which is “the basis of the ecclesiastical sciences.”249

4th. On the Ministries of the Local Ministers.
In a manner similar to what was established for the professors in the previous General Chapter, the local Ministers, who are the persons-in-charge of the brothers, will normally abstain from hearing confessions of outsiders, so that they can adequately dedicate themselves to their formation.250

3.6. Causes for the Expulsion of Novices

The Chapter makes explicit and explains in detail the authentic meaning of the causes for dismissal of the novices,251 as they appear in our Constitutions.252

In cases when the novices, while not included in any of the causes for expulsion, live in the service of God in a lukewarm, remiss or apathetic manner, the Novicemaster should help them by all possible means to get out of this
doubtful situation. As a general criterion, “no novice should come to the end of the noviciate while remaining in this state of doubt or indifference;” he should come out clear before the end of the probation year.253

Regarding the expulsions of the novices, the Novicemaster should periodically inform the immediate superiors, as well as during the visitation.254

3.7. Causes for the Expulsion of the Professed

The Chapter also amply lingered255 in the clarification of some causes for expulsion of the professed. In the same way it dealt on the process to be followed, according to the Constitutions256 and according to the Decree
Auctis admodum, promulgated by the Congregation for Bishops and Regulars in 1892 regarding the expulsion of the professed ordained in sacris.257

4. VII Extraordinary General Chapter. Santo Domingo 1896258

4.1. Admission and Expulsion of Postulants

The local superiors, delegated by the provincial superiors, will be responsible for the admission and expulsion of the postulants, following the prevailing norm until the present moment.259

4.2. Hygiene Norms

The Chapter ratifies and again recommends what was said and discussed in the previous Chapter and encourages the Superiors, Ministers, Prefects and Novicemasters to continue observing the hygiene norms that were given to this effect.260

4.3. Responsibilities of the Local Ministers

The Chapter recommends to the ministers, persons-in-charge of the formation of the brothers, to acquaint themselves with their duties, as they are presented in the Constitutions and other dispositions; also that, regarding the prescribed conferences, they should follow what was prescribed in the General Chapter of Madrid.261