There are no quick steps regarding a man’s call to the monastic life and it is something to be realized only over a period of time. Since each individual is unique, so too is the amount of time required for the actual process. So much depends on the individual’s personal and spiritual growth, whether or not he is ready to enter into serious vocational discernment. Familiarity with the monastic life, distance from the friary, overall health, and financial status are also among some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration. Normally, a man is in contact with the monastic community for at least one year before making an application to the friary.

A candidate for the community is asked to make several brief visits and then come to live in the friary for a week or more. After this initial stay, he may be invited to come to the friary as a postulant for a period of about six months. He may then be asked to apply for admission to the novitiate, a formal one-year period of study and intensive training in monastic life. If the novice feels that he is indeed called to be a Friar and the community agrees, he makes simple vows, which last for three years, and finally solemn vows, his definitive commitment to the monastic life. The Abbot may ask certain Friars to study for the priesthood as well, but this is considered a separate vocation, distinct from the monastic calling.

The brethren of the Order of Friars Marcionite consider our quiet, common life of contemplation and work to be a proclamation to all people of the loving presence of the Light of Truth. If you think you might be interested in sharing the joy and challenge of our life, why not come and see?

The process for entry into the Order of Friars Marcionite is as follows. The inquirer should thoroughly and completely fill out a Discerner Information Form and return it to the Vocation Director. The Vocation Director will review the form and contact you to discuss your vocation. An initial visit of about five days will be arranged if it is clear that you should consider our community. During this first visit, there is time to discern one’s vocational call, etc. Afterwards, a second visit may be scheduled which usually lasts about two weeks. At this time, the inquirer follows the life of the community, attending the Leitourgia, joining in their work and participating in formation classes. Also, during this second visit, the Vocation Director will meet with the candidate and discuss deeper issues of conviction and spiritual development. Although these meetings might be difficult (as many aspects of the candidate’s personal life will come to the surface), the candidate is urged to be completely honest and trusting. It is only in this way that a genuine calling can be discerned. If, after the second visit, both the candidate and the community feel that this man may truly be called to the monastic life, a date may be set for his official entry as a postulant.

Postulancy lasts for about six months, after which it is decided if the postulant is to go on to the year-long novitiate. At this time, he receives the novitiate habit, and begins his official formation consisting of classes in Biblical Exegesis, Monastic Spirituality, and the Rule of the Order of Friars Marcionite. After the novitiate, the candidate may go on to simple vows, which last for three years. At this time, he receives the black scapular, and usually begins his theology studies at a suitable university. Even those friars not called to Holy Orders are normally required to follow at least one year of philosophy and theology at an outside university. After three years in simple vows, the community and the simple professed himself decide if he is ready to make solemn vows and become a full-fledged friar. At this time, he receives the full monastic habit, and becomes a full member of the community. The new friar usually finishes whatever studies he needs, and if called to Holy Orders, is ordained to the Diaconate, and later the Priesthood. After a friar has finished with studies and is in solemn vows, he is usually given a permanent job in the community. This can be a variety of things – clerical work, building and land maintenance, librarian, choir director, etc. – whatever the community may need at that time. Of course, the new friar’s natural talents and dispositions are taken into account but most important of all, at this time, the new friar really becomes a brother, dedicating his life totally to life within the monastic traditions of the community, prayer, work, and study.

Candidates for the Order of Friars Marcionite should have completed some higher education and/or have some work experience. Although we do not have a strict age limit per se, candidates should be between the ages of twenty and fifty-five. He should be in good physical and psychological health with a complete physical required for postulancy. Although the Order of Friars Marcionite does not require outside psychological testing, the future candidate can expect frank discussions with the Vocations Director on this matter. Of course, exceptions can be made for minor problems (both physical and psychological) that would in no way impede a person’s future life as a friar. A candidate should have a mature spiritual life. He should be honest and accepting of his sexuality and already living the virtues of a celibate life. He must be willing to adapt to the customs and regulation of the community and be tolerant and open to the various personalities and backgrounds of its members. Above all, he must realize that the monastic life is a School of Service and a School of Charity. Being a friar is a series of life-long lessons, and there is always a new virtue to be learned, another vice to be purged of. With the help of the Light of Truth, a friar may hope to succeed in imitating the Master fully.

5:00 A.M. Rise – Breakfast

The interval between Breakfast and the next Office may be spent in private prayer or devout reading.

6:00 A.M. - Leitourgia

This is the Office of morning praise as the light of day begins and is one of the high points of the monastic day.

9:00 A.M. - Terce

The period between Lauds and noon is divided by the short hour of Terce. Before and after that Hour the friar works at intellectual or manual labor to which he has been assigned. The younger friars, still in the period of formation attend spiritual conferences or classes.

12:00 P.M. - Sext

This is a minor Hour and is followed by lunch.

12:00 P.M. - Lunch

Meals are taken in silence, while a brother reads aloud. There are some days of fasting and abstinence from meat throughout the year.

2:00 P.M. - None

As in the morning, the afternoon is spent in work or study. It too is divided by a minor Hour, None.

5:00 P.M. - Vespers

This is the Office of evening praise and thanksgiving for all the graces of the day. It is followed by devout reading of Holy Scripture (Lectio divina)

6:30 P.M. - Supper

7:00 P.M. - Recreation

8:00 P.M. - Compline

This Hour is for Night prayer and last common prayer of the day.

9:00 P.M. - Retire

Ill. Fr. Karl Mark was born February 10, 1956 in Lindsay Ontario. Ill. Fr. Mark was brought up within the United Church of Canada. He found the various biblical stories and orthodox Christian theologies questionable and many to some degree completely unbelievable.

After being exposed to the Illuminist Teaching within the Thomasine Church he began his formal studies under +Mar Synesius. So great was his zeal and humility that +Mar Didymos ordained him to the priesthood and allowed him to profess solemn vows. Ill. Fr. Mark is the Master of the Order of Friars Marcionite.