Bro. Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, and Oblates-in-Formation, from left to right: Will Garbe, Chris Allen, Bill Grebe, Matt Trovato

During the past month, we have viewed many “back-to-school” photos and announcements on social media. With a new school year also comes the start of another year in formation, the period of training to become an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, as each of our men-in-formation move through the stages of the formation process. This year, the Oblates in North America are blessed to have a man in every stage of formation. As an introduction and guide to the various phases of Oblate formation, I want to describe each and highlight who is currently in that level. Most importantly, as you will now know these men by name, I kindly request you to hold each of them in prayer.

The first stage of Oblate formation is postulancy, which lasts for one or two years. This is a time of discernment to the Oblate vocation, at the end of which the postulant makes a formal request for admission to the novitiate. The years of postulancy consist of following the common Oblate life (prayer, meals, recreation, etc.), philosophy/theology studies, and engagement in a pastoral ministry. Our current postulant, Will Garbe, is living at Brisson Hall, our house of formation in Washington, DC, while taking introductory philosophy and theology courses at The Catholic University of America (CUA), just a brief walk from Brisson Hall. He will also assist with retreats at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in DC.

Bill Grebe

The next stage, the novitiate year, consists of intensive study of the Oblate history and heritage and Salesian Spirituality and prepares the novice for professing vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales at the conclusion of the year. At the time of this first profession, the Oblate novice determines if he is doing so as a religious brother, or as a “scholastic” preparing for priestly ordination. This profession of vows is for one year (temporary vows) and is renewed each year during formation, for up to six years. This year, the novitiate is located in Toledo, OH, at the former rectory of St. Pius X Parish, where the Oblates continue to serve. Our novice Bill Grebe moved to Toledo in August after spending the past year of postulancy at Brisson Hall.

Following his first profession of vows, an Oblate-in-formation spends the next several years (5-6 years) of post-novitiate formation engaged in a combination of studies and ministry. For the Oblate scholastic, these years include a return to the house of formation in DC to continue graduate theological studies and completion of courses required for ordination. The Oblate brother in formation pursues some theological coursework and pastoral training, which may result in a degree or certificate, based on his talents and goals for future ministry as an Oblate. For both scholastics and brothers, this period of formation also includes an apostolic internship consisting of two years living and ministering within an active Oblate community outside of DC. The timing of the internship is usually after one year of post-novitiate theological studies but is tailored to the formation needs and experience of the individual Oblate-in-formation. Chris Allen, OSFS, who professed vows upon completion of his novitiate year in August, is now a scholastic studying at CUA, living at Brisson Hall.

Usually within one year of completing the graduate theology degree program, the Oblate-in-formation requests admission to perpetual profession of vows, when he becomes an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for life. After perpetual profession, the Oblate scholastic will be ordained a transitional deacon and move to a parish for up to one year to actively engage in pastoral ministry, mentored by an Oblate priest to prepare him for the sacramental ministry of the ordained. At the conclusion of this diaconate placement, the Oblate is ordained a priest. This past July, Matt Trovato, OSFS, made his perpetual profession and now lives and ministers at Our Mother of Consolation (OMC) Parish in Philadelphia, PA, where he will be ordained a deacon on August 26. He will then do his diaconal internship at OMC until his priesthood ordination in the spring.

The past several months have been eventful for the Oblates, celebrating professions and the anticipation of a diaconate ordination. This was all kicked off back in May when Jon Dick, OSFS, was ordained a priest at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, DE, after completing his diaconate placement at St. John Neumann Parish in Reston, VA. He now serves in the theology classroom and campus ministry center at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE.

Much like the educational journey we highlight in “back-to-school” posts and pictures, it takes a village to support the men in our Oblate formation program: schools, parishes, communities, colleagues, parishioners, family, friends, and Oblate confreres. I am so grateful for all who play a role in the formation of our young Oblates, and so I invite you to do the same. In addition to your prayers for the men mentioned above, please pray for more vocations to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. If you know of a young man who may be a good future Oblate, please encourage him and invite him to contact our Director of Vocations, Father Patrick Kifolo, OSFS, at Vocations@oblates.org.

Meet Our Oblates-in-Formation

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