Their formation and the discernment of vocation is two fold since they not only aspire to priesthood but also to religious life.
First, they are becoming members of an institute of consecrated life (i.e., a religious community) and must undergo a period of novitiate (canon 648, one to two years) and additional formation according to the charism and mission of the institute. Temporary vows usually entail another three to six years (canon 665) before they make definitive vows (perpetual profession).
Second, they still need to receive formation appropriate to the clerical state as any candidates for priesthood (see canon 1032).
While there can be some overlap in this two fold formation and discernment of God’s will, they involve many distinct elements that do not blend or coalesce into the same time frame.
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