Claretian Formation

III. Vocational and Formative Documents

1. Vocations

The criteria and the requirements for the admission of the candidates at the moment of entrance and the circumstances for dismissal during the formative period were expressed in the documents of the Congregation. Nevertheless, given the great variety of these documents, starting from the Reglamento of 1900, about which we will speak immediately, the requirements were compiled in an Appendix with the title Bases de admisión e interrogatorio para Postulantes [Bases for admission and questionnaire for Postulants]. This appendix was published “with the desire of obtaining total uniformity in all our Seminaries regarding the steps or procedures in the admission of Postulants.”309

2. Postulants

With the passage of time, the new pedagogical demands of the centres, the suggestions of formators and the directives of the General Chapters, the book of regulations for postulants was progressively actualised.

2.1. Previous experiences prompted the convenience of gradually introducing “some important modifications” in Fr. Xifré’s last book of regulations. For this reason, the VIII General Chapter (Vich 1899) believed that the moment had come to assume those modifications and bring about a new drafting of the same.310

The new Regulations for the Schools for Postulants (1900) was edited during the time of Fr. Clement Serrat311 and, for its drafting, the following were taken into consideration:

“1st. the regulations of 1894 with the amendments later introduced by the Superior General; 2nd. the decisions taken in the General Chapters of Madrid, Cervera and Santo Domingo; and 3rd. the reports of the Prefectsof our Seminaries and other Fathers of well-known learning.”312

This  book of regulations does not explicitly mention, but presupposes a Plan of studies. It maintains the fundamental formative aspects of the previous regulations,313 among them, the triple dimension already proposed by Fr. Xifré, that is, “the uniformity, the order and the harmony in all postulants” of our seminaries. However, it introduces a considerable number of changes in their internal organisation, it more amply develops some points and adds, as a novelty, some Instructions for the transfer of the postulants to the Noviciate, plus several appendices.314

In addition to the functions of the Formators (prefects, professors and auxiliaries), it more explicitly develops the functions of the superiors.315

Prefects are insistently reminded of the periodic contact with the postulants, so that the latter may give an “account on their corporal and spiritual condition,” describing with greater precision and developing more extensively the contents of such personal relationship. Prefects should see to it,
“that, at least once a month, the Postulants go to the Prefect’s room to give an account of their corporal and spiritual situation. The Prefects should find out in detail all that is happening to the Postulants or may be useful for them, in accordance with their character and temperament. Very especially they should ascertain the behaviour of these young men in prayer and in other ordinary practices or actions.”316

It introduces some pedagogical criteria for the fraternal correction of the postulants. This correction should be based on justice, it should be fair, timely and suitable, proportionate to the age and psychic and spiritual conditions of the Postulant, gradual in its application, and based on charity.317 It also demands from the Prefects that, in giving correction, they should not only ask humbly and fervently for the necessary graces to perform this delicate task: they should also put on true charity.318

2.2. During Fr. Alsina’s governance, another edition is made of the Regulations for the Schools of Postulants (1907).319 Both the principles and the formative guidelines basically coincide with the previous regulations.
However, they include, in addition to the table of subjects to be studied during the four years, several modifications suggested by some persons consulted for the purpose. In the field of formation the following may be pointed out:

1st. Physical and corporal development, which has always been emphasised, should be especially taken care of during these years, with a view to the postulant’s future apostolic life. Many cases of diseases that eventually render the Missionary unable to exercise the ministry have their origin in the disregard or lack of attention given to the postulant or novice during the formation period.320

2nd. In correcting or admonishing the postulants, the professors should be fair, moderate and motivated only by a “holy and gentle zeal.” They should not humiliate or dishearten them, thus putting their vocation at risk.321

3rd. Timetables, which were common to all postulancy centres in order to facilitate their proper functioning, are made flexible in their application. The real situation makes this flexibility mandatory. For this reason, superiors are authorised to change the schedule on certain days, with due cause and after hearing the opinion of the prefects.322

2.3. Although the previous books of regulations have formative indications related to the postulants, they do not contain direct references to them as a specific educational body. In order to complete the formative framework,
during the time of Fr. Alsina, the Mirror of the Postulant appears, a type of directory or book of regulations addressed to the Congregation’s minor seminarians.323

According to these regulations, postulants must be aware from the beginning that they are being trained to be missionaries. Therefore, from the time they enter the seminary, “they should always have before their eyes the aim of their vocation to the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the I. H. of Mary.” For this reason, they should live in accordance with the spirit and the practices of the Congregation.324

First and above all, they should be “truly and solidly devout,” with a piety based on the “holy love and fear of God” and with a special reference to the Heart of Mary whom they should call Mother. They should be especially devoted to the saints whose devotion has been traditionally fostered by the Congregation; they should be initiated in the devotion to the Ven. Fr. Founder.325

As a clear sign of vocation, they should affectively and effectively love the Congregation as true children.326 They should put into practice the demands that arise from the vows they will profess in the future, as well as the missionary and typically Claretian virtues, such as humility and modesty. They should also seriously and responsibly dedicate themselves to study.327 They should have an open and sincere personal relationship with the Fr. Prefect, their immediate superior and frequently visit him in his room and manifest to him their personal situation.328

3. Professed Students
3.1. Dispositions for the Professed Students
We already said in the previous chapter that the Books of Regulations for postulants served also as formative guidelines for the professed students in their fundamental points.329 In this period the same criterion was also followed.330
Later on, however, in the time of Fr. Alsina, on 11 November 1912, the Disposiciones particulares para los Colegios de los Estudiantes profesos [Particular Dispositions for the Seminaries of the Professed Students] (1912)
were published.331 They are a synthesis of dispositions that were being given and observed from the first seminaries of Thuir until the present moment, for the organisation and functioning of the same. It is like a Book of Regulations
with very detailed practices, “concrete and well defined norms,” that seek uniformity of behaviours and tend to foster religious spirit and the advancement in science and virtue.332

3.2. Statuta pro Studiis

The VIII General Chapter (Vich 1899) asked that the Plan of Studies of the Congregation, in force since the time of Fr. Clotet, be revised and amended, establishing a methodology to this end.333

After a wide consultation with the professors of the Congregation, the General Government drafted a new Plan of Studies that was published on 25 August 1900. This plan was entitled Statuta pro Studiis Congregartionis Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis [Statutes for the Studies of the Congregation of Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary].334

The Plan was promulgated “ad experimentum” for three years. After the three-year period, a consultation was made to the Superiors, Prefects and Professors, asking their observations in the matter. After compiling these observations, the General Government introduced some changes in the Statutes and published them on 10 September 1903.335

The IX Extraordinary General Chapter (Selva del Campo 1904) asked the General Government to establish a Permanent Commission on Studies to examine, among other things, the prevailing Statutes and Regulations and to
draft the Regulations for the Prefects.336 This Commission made new observations on the Statutes for the Studies, which were published on 14 July 1904.337

The Statutes were confirmed and published again in 1913 and 1916, with few corrections and a good number of interpretations done by the Permanent Commission on Studies. In this period there were no substantial changes,
“waiting for whatever the Holy See might decide about studies in the Religious Institutes.”338