Vocations
Who Are We?
We are Resurrectionists – members of the Congregation of the Resurrection. Founded in Paris in 1836, our Congregation is dedicated to spreading the hope and new life of Christ’s Resurrection throughout the world. Today, you’ll find us serving in Canada, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Tanzania, Ukraine and the United States. Across continents and cultures, we remain committed to the same mission: giving witness to the Paschal Mystery. Convinced of God’s unconditional love for us, we proclaim the liberation and salvation of each person and society as a passage from death to life, where every situation of evil and injustice will ultimately be overcome.
Here in Canada, we currently minister primarily within the Diocese of Hamilton. We care for local parishes and support other ministries as well. In all these efforts, we continue to fulfill our calling: bringing God’s message of hope.
Our Way of Life: Being a Resurrectionist Means...
Click the buttons below to learn more about our Spirituality, History and Ministries.
Understanding Religious Vocation
A religious vocation is a special calling from God to dedicate your life entirely to God. It’s a way of life where people feel drawn to serve God and others through prayer, community, and specific ministries. Those who respond to this call join religious communities, where they live out their faith more deeply and intentionally. In the Gospel of Matthew (19:16-22), a young man asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds, inviting him to keep the commandments and, ultimately, to go further: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This invitation shows that a religious vocation is not just about rules but about giving your whole heart to God. It is a call to trust God fully and follow wherever God leads.
When someone chooses to live a religious vocation, they enter what is called the consecrated life. This means they make a public promise, called a vow, to dedicate themselves completely to God. Consecrated life is about loving God and serving others in a way that reflects the life of Jesus. For Resurrectionists, this life is inspired by Christ’s Resurrection and the hope and transformation it brings.
At the heart of consecrated life are three special promises, called the evangelical counsels or vows:
Poverty
Chastity
Obedience
Discernment and Formation Process
Stages of Formation in the Congregation of the Resurrection
The Congregation of the Resurrection is a religious community whose formation program follows the guidelines set by the Catholic Church. In forming new members, we emphasize human, spiritual, doctrinal, pastoral, and professional growth. At the same time, we strive to deepen our understanding of the spirit of our Founders and to live more faithfully the unique Charism and Mission of our Congregation.
Our formation takes place in two main phases: initial formation and ongoing/continuing formation. The formation process begins with initial discernment, where candidates work with our Vocation Team to explore their calling and the Resurrectionist way of life. This is followed by the pre-novitiate, which involves living in a religious house, engaging in community life, and preparing for the novitiate. The novitiate is a time for deepening one’s commitment through prayer, study, and preparation for temporary vows. Finally, the post-novitiate stage focuses on education and ministry training while preparing for a lifelong commitment. However, it is important to remember that formation does not end here. As Resurrectionists, we believe that ongoing formation is essential for everyone. This lifelong process helps us deepen our relationship with Christ and continually discern how best to serve the community and the Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the button below for Frequently Asked Questions about:
- Discernment and the Process
- Religious Life: The Basics
- Joining the Congregation
- Understanding the Vows
- Formation and Living as a Resurrectionist
- Practical Aspects of Religious Life
Meet our Vocation Team
The purpose of our vocation team is to help you in your discernment process. We have three resurrectionists serving on the vocation team. Fr. Pawel Szymanowski CR (Vocation Director), Fr. Toby Collins CR, and Fr. Raphael Ma CR.
