During the middle years of a Marist seminarian’s training, he can expect to have a significant period away from the seminary.
A range of experiences are available to the Marist and can include: working in one of the New Zealand province’s New Zealand missions, working in a cross-cultural environment in either New Zealand or overseas, or under-going further secular study at one of New Zealand’s universities which being involved part-time in some pastoral work.
There are no particular fixed rules as to where a seminarian may take part in his pastoral placement years and the decision on the shape of his pastoral placement will be worked out with the seminarian, the Rector of the Marist Seminary and the New Zealand Provincial of the Society of Mary.