Redemptoris Mater House of Formation
Following the Way
Since 1991, Allen Hall has been welcoming vocations fostered in the Neocatechumenal Way to prepare them for the service of the Diocese of Westminster. Part of their formation is carried out in small communities where they share with people of all states of life: a process of rediscovery of baptism and ongoing education in faith, which Pope John Paul II recognized as, "an itinerary of Catholic formation valid for our society and for our times."
Founded on the "Tripod" (Word of God – Liturgy – Community), the Neocatechumenal Way takes place within parishes. Through the stages of Christian initiation, it brings the faithful as well as those who have had little or no contact with the Catholic faith to a mature Christian life, making them active members of the Church and credible witnesses to the Gospel. Its statutes were approved by the Holy See in 2002.
Vocations for the Whole World
Many of those who follow the Neocatechumenal Way are young. Meetings are often organized for them in the different countries in which the Way is based. During these meetings a vocational calling is made, and those who feel drawn to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ to follow him in the priestly or religious life stand up.
There follows a period of further discernment in a small pre-vocational group after which some may decide to join their local diocesan seminary, whilst others feel called to the religious life. Those who feel a special calling to New Evangelization as diocesan missionary priests, and who are willing to be sent anywhere in the world, are invited to attend a meeting which takes place in Italy every September.
At the end of the meeting there is the "Merkabah", the chariot of God according to the vision of Ezekiel (Ez 1:4-28), which embodies the transcendent dynamism of God who is in constant movement and whose Spirit sends servants of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. In most cases names are just picked at random to go to a seminary in any country in the world. There is a certain tension in the air, but at the end all are happy, having consented to the will of God, with the freedom of spirit that a missionary vocation requires.
When one has arrived in a seminary, a new mission begins, which is to adapt to a new country, culture, people and language. Sometimes this is very difficult, but everything is possible with the help of God. After many years some of us look back over all these events and praise God for all the miracles that he has done in our life.