The Order and Practice

of 

The Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation

Formation Process

© Copyright August 2007-2008 by The Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation

Reconciliation

Penance or Reconciliation is the sacrament of God's forgiveness for our sins. It reunites us with the Church. Our contrition and penitence are pleasing in God's eyes. He has unlimited bounty of mercy and love for us.
Reconciliation in Salvation History is far more than confessing your sins and receiving absolution. One could say that Salvation History is reconciliation. In fact, just about every aspect in the Christian walk is in some way related to reconciliation. Baptism and Confirmation are both concerned with being reconciled to God. It is in this broader sense that one should be thinking, when considering the writings of the Order.

Formation in this Order, and even in the Life of Christ, is an ongoing process.  The steps outlined here begin a Journey that will hopefully last for the rest of the Postulant’s life.  Even after the Novitiate year, the Member will be required to continue to learn and grow in Christ.

Secular Formation Steps

1. The Postulant, after having read over the web site and determining that the Order is where they want to be at this time in their spiritual journey, will then fill out an application and include copies of their baptism and confirmation certificates, a recommendation letter from their Pastor or other Priest in their Parish that states that they are an active member of the Parish.  This packet is mailed to:  The Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation, Attn:  Novitiate Director, 2637 E. Atlantic Blvd, #139, Pompano Beach, FL  33062, or scanned into a computer and emailed to novitiatedir@orderbsr.org.
2. Upon acceptance by the Novitiate Director and Superior General, the Postulant will be notified by phone, email or postal mail that they have been accepted as a Postulant to the Order and will be given a copy of the Rule of the Order and some questions to answer in the form of a one to three page letter.  The Postulant has 90 days to complete and return the responses to the questions to the Novitiate Director (novitiatedir@orderbsr.org).
3. After possible discussions between the Novitiate Director and the Postulant, the Novitiate Director will notify the Superior General of the acceptance of the responses, who will then notify the Postulant that they have been raised to the Novitiate status.
4. A form that explains the Raising Ceremony is sent to the Novitiate which is then taken to their Pastor for the Rite of Admission into the Novitiate State.
5. The Novitiate should put on their crucifix, San Damiono Crucifix is recommended, which is to be visible at all times, unless this would be in conflict with their job, at which point it should be on underneath their clothing.
6. In honor of our Mother, the Virgin Mary, the Novitiate should be wearing the Miraculous Medal.
7. The Novitiate stage will last at least one year, and no more than two years.
8. At this point, the Novitiate is to send two passport photos to the Chancellor of the Order at Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation, Attn: Chancellor, 2637 E. Atlantic Blvd, #139, Pompano Beach, FL  33062.
9. The Novitiate should be reading the Bible daily now.
10. The new Novitiate at this time should acquire a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours prayers, either the single “Christian Prayer” book or the full four book version (recommended).
11. The Novitiate should begin a daily regime of at a minimum of the Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, and preferably all seven hours of readings/prayers.
12. The Novitiate should be saying at least one full Mystery of the Rosary daily.
13. The Novitiate should become active in the internal web site that is available to all Brothers and Sisters in the Order, to include the forums and chat system.
14. The Novitiate is required to attend all virtual meetings as called by the Superior General or Novitiate Director.
15. The Novitiate is required to participate in all Bible Study programs as initiated by the Superior General, above and beyond any work assigned by the Novitiate Director.
16. The Novitiate is required to participate in all book readings as assigned by the Superior General, above and beyond any work assigned by the Novitiate Director.
17. A minimum of two books must be read from the mandatory reading list.
18. After reading each book, a book report will be written up and submitted to the Novitiate Director.
19. At the conclusion of one year, providing that all of the above requirements are met, the Novitiate, the Novitiate Director and the Superior General all are in agreement, the Novitiate may take their initial temporary vows and be raised to full membership status.
20. This must happen by the end of the second year, or the person should be released from the program.
21. After three to six years of taking their temporary vows annually, the Brother or Sister may take their perpetual vows if the Superior General and the Novitiate feel that they are ready to live the rule for the rest of their lives.  If not, they must leave the Order.

Religious Formation Steps

1. The Postulant, after having read over the web site and determining that the Order is where they want to be at this time in their spiritual journey, will then fill out an application and include copies of their baptism and confirmation certificates, a recommendation letter from their Pastor or other Priest in their Parish that states that they are an active member of the Parish, and that they feel the Postulant is a solid Candidate for Religious life.  This packet is mailed to:  The Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation, Attn:  Chancellor, 2637 E. Atlantic Blvd, #139, Pompano Beach, FL  33062, or scanned into a computer and emailed to chancellor@orderbsr.org.
2. Upon acceptance by the Chancellor and Superior General, the Postulant will be notified by phone, email or postal mail that they have been accepted as a Postulant to the Order and will be given a copy of the Rule of the Order and some questions to answer in the form of a ten to fifteen page letter.  The Postulant has 90 days to complete and return the responses to the questions to the Chancellor (chancellor@orderbsr.org).
3. The Postulant will be scheduled a face to face meeting with the Chancellor and Superior General, both individually and together to go over the responses.
4. At this point the Postulant is to acquire a medical physical exam, a physiological exam, and a criminal background investigation with a release of information to the Chancellor of the Order being signed.
5. Upon successful completion of the interviews, exams and background, the Postulant is accepted into the Order as a Novitiate.
6. Upon arriving at the Novitiate House the Novitiate will be clothed in the Novitiate Habit.
7. Within the first week, the Novitiate will begin to integrate the complete Liturgy of the Hours into his daily routine.
8. In the first two months, the Novitiate will be required to read the book on Canon Law dealing with religious orders.
9. The Novitiate is to be reading from the bible daily.
10. The Novitiate is to talk with the Novitiate Director at least weekly.
11. The Novitiate is to have a Spiritual Director.
12. The Novitiate is to go to Mass daily.
13. The Novitiate is to participate in the Rite of Reconciliation weekly.
14. The Novitiate is to read at least two books from the required/recommended reading list, one of which must be the Vatican II documents.
15. After one year the Novitiate may apply to the Superior General for acceptance to give his Public Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.  This must be done by the end of the second year.
16. The Brother may take his Perpetual Vows from three to six years after entering the Order.