THE TRAINING COURSE

1- A YEAR OF SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF EMMANUEL AT SAINT-JOSEPH HOUSE

The first year of formation (known as the propaedeutic or spiritual foundation year) takes place in the house of Saint Joseph in Namur (Belgium), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), or Bogota (Columbia). Young people who want to become priests experience a spiritual, community, and missionary year, a foundation for their call to the priesthood.

A year to become attached to the person of Christ, to live in community the charism of Emmanuel, to discern a priestly, community and missionary call

« A landmark year with other guys asking the same question, finally! »

2- TWO YEARS TO BECOME MISSIONARY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

After the Year of Saint Joseph, the Emmanuel seminarians go to seminaries or training institutes in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Namur, Brussels, Rome, Abidjan, or Bogota. They also continue their community journey and contact the families and consecrated persons of the Emmanuel Community.

The 1st cycle of the seminary lasts two years. It aims to change the hearts of the seminarians into a heart of discipleship by giving them: a philosophical formation for the mission, a deepening of the Scriptures to resolutely choose Christ, short missions in community

"We let the Lord steer the boat and refine each one's own call".

3- LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS IN FRANCE AND AROUND THE WORLD

After the 1st cycle, it is possible to live a long-term mission, internationally or locally: a missionary and compassionate experience with brothers and sisters of the Emmanuel Community (Fidesco, le Rocher...)

"Go, make others happy and you will know joy".

4- THREE YEARS TO BECOME THE PRIESTS OF TOMORROW, PASTORS AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART !

The 2nd cycle of the seminary wants to form the fraternal and missionary pastors of tomorrow. It provides for this: a solid theological formation, a stimulating community, and fraternal life, a concrete preparation for the mission of pastor of tomorrow, rooting in a diocese in relation with its bishop, its priests

After these three years of formation comes the diaconal ordination: The seminarian says a definitive "yes" to celibacy and the service of the Church and will undergo training with experienced and zealous pastors. Then comes the priestly ordination. The priest becomes a brother and a father. He lives the priestly fraternity in a joint mission, at the service of the diocese and the local community, sent by his bishop.

MANY ON MISSION WITH THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Emmanuel priests never live their mission alone. They live in a fraternity of Emmanuel priests. They take missions with brothers and sisters who are members of the Emmanuel Community, both lay and consecrated.

Whatever his mission, the Emmanuel priest is a member of a household where he can pray and share with other members of the Emmanuel Community to grow in union with God. He also participates in community activities: weekends, evangelization, summer sessions, etc.

"By this all will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another."

JEAN 13,35

IN A VARIETY OF MINISTRIES (PARISHES, MISSIONARY TEAM, TRAINING...)

The vast majority of Emmanuel priests serve in the parishes of their diocese. But other priests respond to the calls of the Church in a wide variety of ministries, as chaplains in hospitals, student hostels, schools, schools of evangelization, and as formators for seminarians. All of them serve where the Church sends them, in the charism of the Emmanuel Community.