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Associate Program

Not everyone hears a call to a religious vocation early in life. Some are aware of a call at a very early age. Others come to this realization later, after college or after a few years working in a career. The Associate Program was established for men who have finished their college or technical training and wish to begin their journey to become Divine Word Missionary Brothers or priests.

Candidates are normally 35 or younger. This age limit has been established because of the length of training required to become an SVD, and the often rigorous demands of living in some of the mission countries where SVDs work. The Associate Program is a one-to-two-year residency program that gives you a chance to learn about the SVD, our charism and our ministries. You have a chance to live with Divine Word Missionaries and other students and participate in ministry first-hand. This program is required before you can apply for Novitiate.

If your vocation is to the priesthood and you have all of the prerequisites for theological studies, you may be placed at one of any number of SVD communities here in the United States. We have many different ministries, including several parishes. Similarly, if your vocation is to the brotherhood and you have completed a college degree or technical training, you could be placed in a parish or some other setting where the SVD works. This gives you an opportunity to be active in ministry, to study, and to live in an SVD community. It also allows us time to get to know you.

If, however, your vocation is to the priesthood and you lack the necessary requirements to begin theology studies, you participate in the formation program at Divine Word College. While in the college program you work towards earning your 24 credits in philosophy, 12 credits in theology, and some suggested course work in cross-cultural studies. Brother candidates in need of further college or technical training also participate in the pre-novitiate Brother formation program at Divine Word College before applying to novitiate.

After your one or two years as an Associate, you apply for the Novitiate which is a one year program in Techny, Illinois. After that year you proceed like any other SVD candidate – either through the theology formationProgram at Divine Word Theologate, in Chicago, or in the Brother Formation Program which is located at St. Anselm’s Parish in Chicago.