Discernment
God calls His children to assume their vocations in life in many different ways. Being a mother, father, sister, brother, friend, counselor, husband, wife, etc., are all vocations that we are called to in order to fulfill our purpose in life and, more importantly, to glorify and honor God Almighty. Regardless of the form of the vocation, an individual’s vocation is ultimately to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul […] and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
Additionally, any vocation requires discernment, which involves prayer and engagement. The charisms of the Society of Christ the King are very specific; therefore, the discernment process necessarily requires the individual to introspectively review his or her spiritual life and faith life so that they may see a level of congruence with the objectives and work of the Society.
During the discernment process, we encourage individuals to learn more about the Society, talk to an existing member, and most importantly, reflect on the gifts, talents, passions, and ambitions within oneself.
At the end of the day, if you feel called to the charisms of the Society, your discernment process was successful! Or, if you realize that the Society is not for you, your discernment was also successful! There is no right or wrong answer in the process of discernment. Ultimately, discernment is the process of attentively listening to God and discerning what He has planned for you.
In the Society of Christ the King, the period of discernment can take a few weeks to a few months and can also include a portion of the individual’s postulancy (see below). Prospective postulants are asked to schedule regular meetings with our Superior General, First Assistant, Episcopal Advisor, and other existing members. Prospective postulants are encouraged to learn as much about the Society as possible before formally petitioning to become a member of the Society.
Postulancy
After a prospective member decides to formally consider the Society of Christ the King, he or she begins the postulancy period. For the most part, this is a more formal continuation of the discernment process. Conversations and meetings with current S.C.R. members continue and the aspirant completes the application for candidacy.
With the period of discernment, postulancy can take anywhere between three to six months. After the Executive Chapter (the management body of the S.C.R.) approves the individual’s application, the aspirant goes through the Rite of Initiation, thereby finalizing an aspirants petition to join the S.C.R. The aspirant now enters the Novitiate.
Novitiate (Year of Spirituality)
Once admitted into the Novitiate of the Society of Christ the King, the novice undergoes the S.C.R.’s formation program.
The formation program is tailored to two groups of novices: (1) Clergy who are already ordained in the Catholic tradition; and (2) laity.
For clergy, those without familiarity with the Roman Rite of Catholic liturgy are trained and formed in this venerable liturgical tradition. For laity, formation involves various spiritual exercises and instruction to allow the individual to cultivate a deeper and more intimate understanding of the Mass, thereby spiritually enriching his or her participation in the Liturgy.
The Novitiate lasts for a year. Upon completion of the Novitiate and with recommendation by those involved in the individual’s formation, the novice professes simple vows during the Rite of Profession.
Given the disposition of the modern-day person and the various demands of contemporary society, members of the Society of Christ the King renew their vows every two years as a periodic review of their spiritual lives and commitment to the charisms of the Society.
For some members, upon consultation with their spiritual advisors and directors, they may wish to make a “perpetual profession” in which they commit their lives to the objectives and charisms of the Society.
Reading for Holy Orders
As the Society of Christ the King possesses valid Apostolic Succession, the Society also offers a formation program for those who feel called to serve Jesus Christ and His Church as ordained clergy.
The Society of Christ the King bars no one from postulating for Holy Orders; we judge a candidate based on their character and calling. Candidates reading for Holy Orders will still go through the postulancy and novitiate formation detailed above, but at the same time, undergo formation for Holy Orders. Adhering to the ancient Catholic faith, candidates for Holy Orders are inducted into Minor Orders and then ordained into the Major Orders (the Diaconate and Holy Priesthood).
The comprehensive formation program for Holy Orders includes courses on Scripture; Dogmatic Theology; Moral Theology; Fundamental Theology; Liturgical Ministry; Pastoral Ministry; and other courses.