10 Basic Requirements for Admission to the Province of Saint Joseph

1)  Single, Roman Catholic males between ages 20 and 35.

2)  A well-informed faith, daily prayer life, regular sacramental participation, and evidence of a virtuous Christian life.  A convert must have been initiated or received into full communion in the Catholic Church for at least two years. Normally our Province requires three years, though exceptions are made in certain cases.

3)  Evidence of mature Christian discipleship through service to Church and society.  

4)  Desire to bear witness to the Truth of Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic Faith for the salvation of souls in settings where the Province serves: parishes, Providence College, campus ministries, hospital ministry, missionary work in our Vicariate of Eastern Africa, itinerant preaching, etc..

5)  Desire for an intense, religious community life centered on the Word of God through contemplation, the evangelical counsels, study, silence, choral Liturgy of the Hours and other elements of “regular observance”.

6)  Priesthood candidates: minimum of a college degree required.

7)  Cooperator brother candidates:  minimum of a high school diploma and either two years of college or two years of work experience are required.

8)  Good physical health and psychological balance.

9)  No personal debt upon entrance. Ordinarily, student loans must be no more than $40,000 to enter the novitiate.  (While the ceiling is set at $40,000, this amount may be less depending on how many novices need loan assistance.)

10)  No impediments (canonical or otherwise) and no liability for prosecution before a criminal or civil court.