In view of the constantly changing conditions of Mission, the SMA provides adequate, quality and holistic missionary formation to its candidates and members. To become member of the Society, the length of the program depends on individual and local circumstances while respecting the universal requirements of the Catholic Church for priest candidates.
General the journey to the catholic priesthood in the SMA comprises of the following stages:
•    Preparatory/orientation program: This is a time of initial orientation into the priestly life in the SMA. It affords the individual to deepen his knowledge of the Society and its mission, and to continue the process of discernment. DFBB, Candidates from Nigeria, Benin and Central Africa do their orientation program in their home country.

•    Philosophy: aims to furnish the individual with the ability to reflect deeply on human situation. It provides an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, and a realistic appraisal of the human and social Sciences. The ability to employ the tools and methods of these sciences, while deepening knowledge of God and of the SMA is instill in the heart of the student. The DFBB students attend Philosophical studies in the countries of origin.

•    International Spiritual Year: A year that helps the individual to develop a deeper understanding of himself, of his vocation, of SMA history and mission. The candidate is oriented towards building a personal spirituality with Jesus Christ and prepares him for his first missionary commitment. This stage of formation takes place in an international setting. At present the SMA has two International Spiritual Year Centers: Calavi, in Benin Republic, and Silang, in the Philippines. SMA District-in-Formation of Benin sends its Candidates to Calavi.

•    Stage / Pastoral experience: It is a direct, supervised experience of the reality of missionary life and work in the SMA through a substantial period of missionary on the field training in Africa, and outside one’s country of origin. It has a minimum duration of nine months. It gives the candidates a taste of what missionary work is in the SMA. .

•    Theology: It aims at providing the individual with the capacity to reflect on, and respond to the human situation in the light of faith, faithful to the Church’s teaching and the charism of the Society. There are three International SMA Theology centers: Nairobi (Kenya), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), and Ibadan (Nigeria).

Do you want to become an SMA Priest? Please contact one of the Vocations Director in your country: Nigeria, Benin Republic and Central Africa Republic.

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