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Discernment, Formation and Consecration

Discernment

  • People exploring this call should be mature Christians, already committed to a life of prayer.

  • They can be women or men single, widowed or divorced.  Someone who is still bound by marriage vows is not free to take a vow of consecrated celibacy.

  • In the discernment phase, those who feel that God may be calling them to this way of life need to seriously and prayerfully consider the guidelines on solitaries from the Handbook of the Religous Life produced by The Advisory Council for Religious Communities p.117-118 (which may be downloaded here. The guidelines may also be found on our website here), discuss it with their spiritual director and speak with others who have made this commitment.

  • Those wishing to proceed further will have a proper enquiry made of their life and circumstances by the bishop who will be receiving their vows.  

Formation

  • The candidate should have a spiritual director who is familiar with this form of consecration

  • During this time, it is important for the candidate to receive instruction and guidance on the implications of living their life under the vow of consecrated celibacy.

  • A vocation to the single, consecrated life needs to be tested over a period of time before first vows are made.

  •  The vocation is rooted in God - it is about being rather than doing and also needs to be rooted in the Church by association with a parish, chaplaincy or Religious Community.

Formation papers

SCL has produced some core formation papers covering the following topics to assist enquirers in their discernment process

a. Celibacy
b. SCL network
c. Guardian of the vow

Please contact us if you would like to receive e-copies of all or any of these.

 

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Consecration

First vows may be received and renewed using a form of service that recognises the dignity, beauty and significance of the act of consecration.

 A ring and/or cross may be given as symbols of the covenant relationship being undertaken.

 Life vows may be made after a period of 1 – 3 years, with the support of those involved in the discernment process.

 The personal vow should be received by the Bishop who will keep a record and also inform the Advisory Council (either directly or via the administrator for SCL).

 The Bishop should ensure that the vowed person has an adequate network of spiritual support.

Personal encouragement and formal recognition by the Bishop can be an important factor in developing vocations to this lifestyle.