Two years is the recommended length of candidacy here, but this is one region in Australia so is probably of little relevance to you.
Our formation guide is titled as such and is a translation from the Italian by Norbert Pittorino, O.F.M., via the National Centre for the S.F.O., Rome. The translation is a bit quaint at times but the lessons are good. We prepare answers to the questions and these are read and discussed during the fraternity meetings once per month.
This may be unusual but we have four people in formation, we all started at the same time about a year and a half ago. Everything takes place during the regular fraternity meetings so that the Minister, Formator and full members all contribute to our formation process.
We were asked, one at a time, at the December meeting if we thought we were ready for full membership of the SFO. We all replied in the affirmative, but only by the Grace of God could we be considered worthy of this honour. A letter of permission has to be penned off to, I think, the regional director for a ceremony planned to take place mid this year.
