requirements to join

our Congregation of

Divine Word Missionaries

For one to enter our Congregation he must be ready with the following requirements:

G.C.E. pass in six subjects not more than 28 points, including English with at least credit, math and science is recommendable (an original copy, before presenting it make a photocopy for yourself)

 

Recommendation letter from the Parish Priest 

(it is done by the Vocation Promoter himself)

 

Recommendation letter from your S.C.C. - youths and adults - the Parish Priest may help you to get it 

if you have any problems getting it

 

If working in the time of entering the seminary - 

a recommendation letter from the employer

 

If entered before any other Congregation - 

a recommendation letter from that Congregation

 

A letter of consent from your parents or guardians 

(in case if the parents are not alive), which says that they are ready now and always will be ready (including the time after the ordination) to support you spiritually 

and materially as much as they can

 

A general medical certificate, concerning applicant's general health like sight, chest, hearing, legs, urine e.t.c. (done by an applicant on his own)

 

HIV test done during the last workshop

with the assistance of the Vocation Promoter

 

Baptismal Certificate (an original)

 

Confirmation Certificate (an original)

 

Attended at least one SVD vocation workshop

 

Written application to join our Congregation, addressed to the Provincial Council of Divine Word Missionaries 

in Botswana (done during the last vocation seminar)

 

In the case of an applicant being a first born - 

there must be a separate letter written by the parents that they are giving him full blessing to join the religious life, that he is free from any family responsibilities 

now and after the ordination, the family is ready to support him financially and spiritually through the whole of his life 

as much as they can

 

Filled form of personal data and other particulars (done during the last seminar)

 

Written autobiography, including a short history of one's vocation

 

Letter of recommendation from the Headmaster

 

Having a valid passport (it can still be arranged 

after the last workshop)

 

Written recommendation letter from the Vocation Promoter (done by the Vocation Promoter himself after 

the last vocation workshop)

You may find this list of our requirements very long, but you need to acknowledge that they are only to assist you with your discernment process, to help you know that you are called or not called to this kind of life. It is always between one being called and God. A vocation promoter is only helping in the discernment process, but the final decision to follow God's voice or not, depends on the one, who is called. Only in the cases where an applicant places himself into such a vocation without being called, a vocation promoter needs to be stronger with his participation in the discernment process.

Now you have a clear picture what it means to be called by Jesus Christ to be his disciple. It is a great and responsible task to be truly Jesus' messenger. Are you ready for it, are you honestly called by Jesus Christ to his vineyard? Also you can look at yourself how much are you to be SVD with the charisma of blessed Arnold Janssen? The answer is yours. It is your life, your choice, but always God's call. Not the call of your parents, your friends or the people living in your surroundings who may tell you that you can be a good brother or father.

Think and decide for yourself on your own, then you will be always happy with your decision.   

By now I wish you: all the best in your discernment process. Be open and sincere with yourself even if your decision at times is not comfortable and painful, be ready for it.

Yours in Christ

Fr. Romek Janowski SVD

Fr. Slawek Wiecek SVD

Fr. Maciek Malicki SVD

Vocation Promoters