Clerics

 

The Novices and Clerics of Klosterneuburg  -- Together they make up the Juniorat.

 

 

The Purpose:

 

This ascent is difficult, the task hard, the slope steep, but the prize is great and the reward everlasting... All hardship is to be reckoned as light, every load bearable, and the length of days but a passing moment, as the example of Jacob who served Laban seven years teaches in Scripture: "those days seemed few to him in the greatness of his love"

 

-- St. Laurentius Giustiniani

 

 

40.            At the end of the novitiate the novice makes simple profession for three years in accordance with the appropriate ecclesiastical regulations. A promise can also be made in its place. The years of temporary commitment provide for further examination as regards to living according to the evangelical counsels and the work of our canonries. During this time independence and stability, aptitude for the common life and work, deep faith and willingness for the apostolic ministry should continue to increase.

 

-- The Constitution of the Austrian Congregation

 

 

A novice, who has chosen to continue on his way to solemn vows and who has been approved by the chapter, professes temporary vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability during the Mass on August 28th, the Solemnity of St. Augustine.  

 

As a result of this important decision, the novice moves to a new position in the community.  No longer a novice, since he is now simply professed, he is called a "Kleriker" or "cleric" in English.  The vows are taken for three years.  It is during this time that the cleric enters more deeply into the canonical vocation through ongoing spiritual, academic, priestly and communal formation.  

 

 

 

69.       Academic and pastoral formation should be bound up with spiritual formation. The needs of our time require a sound formation. In our communities it is directed towards the apostolic ministry. That is why clerics are to be given the opportunity and instructions to practice the pastoral ministry, (e.g. parish work). The current regulations about ecclesiastical ministries and admission to ordination are to be carefully observed.

 

-- The Constitution of the Austrian Congregation




 


Dom Hugo and Dom Lukas

preparing for Vespers.

 

 

 

 

The Means:

 

What has already been said about the means of the novitiate with respect to its goals of introducing the novice to the life and ministry of the canons, continues to hold true for the cleric. 

To go to the novitiate page and read about the means, <click here>. 

 

What is new is that the cleric will devote a considerable amount of time and energy to his preparation for ordination to the priesthood. 

 

 

 

Theological Formation

 

The Scriptures are so profound that even if I were to spend my whole life studying nothing else, supposing I had the time, the concentration and intelligence, I would still find something new in them everyday.  Not that there is any difficulty in arriving at the things necessary for salvation from Scripture, but many things still remained shrouded in mystery, to be discovered by those who will persevere in study.

 

-- St. Augustine (Letter 137)

 

70.    The ecclesiastical regulations concerning the study of theology must be fulfilled. The Austrian Congregation has the right to its own philosophical and theological colleges. Their course of studies must be drawn up in accordance with the ecclesiastical laws. The Provost is entitled to nominate and dismiss the professors.

71.     The acquisition of state or ecclesiastical academic degrees is desirable.

 

-- the Constitution of the Austrian Congregation

 

 

Since the canons regular are a priestly order, the proper intellectual formation of each member is of paramount importance.  This formation begins during the novitiate with in-house courses, but expands significantly during the years of simple profession.

 

Therefore in addition to seeking excellence in a theological faculty, this community believes that each cleric needs a program that fits his talents, disposition and needs.  Therefore, working together the Novice Master and novice propose a plan to the Provost for the future cleric's studies.  This allows for the greatest possibility of success with respect to academic achievement as well as personal development.

 

Stift Klosterneuburg currently has four clerics pursuing their their theological preparation for the priesthood.  Each has a program designed to meet the requirements of the Catholic Church for the intellectual formation of future priests as well as the community's desire to give its future members a course of study suited to their talents, disposition and needs.

 

Currently the clerics of Stift Klosterneuburg attend theological faculties at the Angelicum in Rome, the University of Vienna and the University of Innsbruck. 

 

Wherever the cleric receives his theological training, he is expected to achieve a sufficient level of competence with respect to the sacred and related sciences to be able to realize his priestly vocation in the 21st Century.  Moreover this education should lay the foundation for a life time of ongoing study through both private and communal means.

 

 


Grant, O Lord, to all students, to love and to know that which is worth knowing, to praise that which pleases you most, to value that which is most precious to you, and to dislike whatsoever is evil in your eyes.

 

-- Thomas a Kempis


 

72.     To obtain a broad, human and academic outlook the so-called open semester at one of the native or foreign universities can prove very useful. That is why our clerics are to be offered the possibility. In such cases, the superiors are to take care of the accommodation. The lodgings are to be, where possible, in a Religious house.

 

-- the Constitution of the Austrian Congregation

 

The clerics are encouraged to avail themselves to the extraordinary opportunities that this community affords them.  In particular, study abroad and the acquisition of foreign languages are highly valued. 

 

When clerics are away  -- in whole or part -- for their theological studies, they reside in a religious house, where the way of life is similar to that of the canons, especially with respect to the celebration of the Divine Office and other facets of the common life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Priestly Formation

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Our Lord knows that you will take the greatest care of the cleanliness, good order and fitting adornments of your churches, of the altars, altar linens and vestments.  He knows that you will pay special attention to the music and ceremonies, and in short, to all that contributes to the beauty of the house of God and to the celebrations held there.
 

-- St. Peter Fourier


 

 

Solemn Profession

 

 

 

Preparation for the Priesthood after Perpetual Vows
 

Priestly formation continues after the completion of the three year period as a cleric.  After making a preparatory retreat and taking solemn vows, the canon continues on his road to the priesthood.  These steps include:

 




Dom Josef assists for the first time as a deacon.

 


 

 

 

The Goal:

 

           59.    At the end of the period of probation the candidate takes perpetual vows in accordance with the appropriate ecclesiastical regulations. In our congregation perpetual vows are solemn for candidates to the priesthood, choir-canons and lay-brothers. At perpetual profession one solemnizes his final bond to the community and its ministry. Through it one becomes a full member of the community.

 

-- The Constitution of the Austrian Congregation

 

 

With the preparations for the priesthood complete, the solemnly professed deacon finally arrives at his ordination to the priesthood.

 

 

 

 

Bishop Markus lays hands upon Dom Lukas.

 

 

 

 

 

As is customary in Austria, he will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving (Primiz) and as many subsequent Masses of Thanksgiving (Nachprimize) at the parishes of the abbey and those important to the newly ordained priest.

 

Dom Hugo celebrates his Primiz assisted by the Provost and the Novice Master.