b'The pair brings not only experience in higher education to the Novitiate but also familiarity andcommunity. Theyve known each other for more than20 years, first meeting as colleagues at Chaminade fellow professors commiserating about their doctoral work. At the time, Bautista had yet to enterthe Marianist community.Then, in 2012, they again were colleaguesandbrothers this timeliving in the Casa Maria com-munity in San Antonio while serving as professors atSt. Marys University. They assumed the Novitiateleadership in August this past year.Living in community is a key aspect of the Novitiate,which is at the Marianists 150-acre property nearDayton, OhioMount Saint John. Along with theirstudies, novices Juan de la Cruz and Jess Alvarez-Pea live in community with Bro. Bautista and Fr. Eden, as well as Marianist Brothers John Lemker,Thomas Redmond and Thomas Wendorf. Although not professed, the novices live as fullmembers of the community. They share equally inMarianist Brother DennisBautista (left) and novice VOCATIONS TIMELINEJess lvarez-Pea prepareThe Novitiate is among the steps toward a perpetual professionand lifetime commitmentto the Society of Mary. a meal at the Novitiate Community in Dayton, Ohio. The first formal step is a basic To enter the Society of Mary, a contactconnection and conversation files an application with the nationalContact with a Marianist brother, priest Aspirant vocation director and provinceor sister, then regular contact leadership and, upon acceptancewith a community for Mass, as an aspirant, lives for a year in theprayer, meals, etc. Theres no set Casa Maria community in San Antonio.time frame for the contact phase. Though not professed, an aspirant is a full member ofthe community while serving in part-time ministry.The two-year program builds a foundation for life as a Marianist. The first year featuresin-depth study of the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, Catholic and Marianist Novitiate history and education, and the Marianist Charism. Novices live in the Novitiate communityas full community members. In the second year, they spend four months in full-time ministrywhile living in a different Marianist community before returning to the Novitiate communityfor final discernment.The Novitiate leads to first profes- In professing perpetual vows, asion of temporary vows, which Marianist makes a lifetime com-Temporary are renewed annually for at least Perpetual mitment to do as Mary did 2,000Profession three years or as many as six, Profession years ago, to bring Christ into thedepending on the formation and world. Formation continues amiddiscernment process. During this time, personal and spiritual growth, and inthe newly professed Marianist lives in community, collaboration with provincial leadership, a Marianiststarts an active ministry and, perhaps, pursues brother may decide to pursue the priesthood.theological or other academic studies.FOR INFORMATION ON VOCATIONS, visit https://www.marianist.com/vocations. 18 Call 1.800.348.4732'