Formation: Stages
Formation has to be integral, mission oriented and it consists of both initial and on-going formation.

Initial Stages of Formation
Initial Formation will be same for clerical and non-clerical candidates and it shall be together.

A. Orientation Course and Plus I and Plus II
B. Pre-novitiate and Novitiate

There should be a minimum of four years of formation prior to the Novitiate for the S.S.C. / H.S.C. candidates and a minimum of three years for the intermediate candidates. In special cases two years of formation will suffice for the intermediate and degree candidates.

C. Special Formation:

        § Philosophy (3 years)
        The philosophy course together with graduation shall last for three years. In the case of         non-clerical brothers, there shall be a minimum of one year of philosophical formation.

        § Post Novitiate (one month each for 3 years during philosophical Formation)
           § Regency (one year)
        Regency is a period of non-formal formation during which the brothers are called upon         to experience the concrete realities of life and to deepen their own Franciscan         commitment.

        § Exposure – Immersion Programme (during the first year theology)
        § Theology (4 years)
        The theology course shall last for four years. In the case of non-clerical brothers, there         shall be a minimum of two years of theological formation.

D. Formation in the Circumscription and outside the Circumscription:

    The formation courses we have in the Vice Province are:
    Orientation Course and Plus I and Plus II at Assisi Ashram, Enikepadu, Vijayawada
    Philosophy at Vijnananilayam, Janampet, Eluru
    Post Novitiate
    Regency
    Theology at Vijnananilayam, Janampet, Eluru

    The formation courses we have outside the Vice Province are:
    Pre-novitiate and Novitiate in the Mother Province, Kerala

    On-going Formation:
    The aim of on-going formation is the spiritual renewal and cultural and professional     updating of the brothers.
    1.On-going formation could be organized at various levels such as, age, batches and     ministry.
    2.Retreats of various types, seminars, get together of batch-mates etc are to be arranged     in the Vice Provincial level.
    3.Post-graduate studies and professional training may be undertaken by the clerical     brothers after their ordination and non-clerical brothers after their final profession taking     into account the need of the Vice Province.
    4.Friars are recommended to attend the refresher courses conducted in various places for     the sake of updating themselves.