As an Associate, he continues his usual Christian lifestyle. In addition, he has regular contact with the Oblates through an Oblate Contact and the Director of the Associate Program who visits with him, invites him to Oblate functions and helps arrange retreats for the men in the program. The Associate Program lasts until he reaches a clear decision about his vocation or decides to leave the program. A new member of the Oblate community will live for a specified period of time as a Postulant, usually one year. This time is set aside for the new member to make a smooth transition from his present lifestyle to the new reality of Oblate community living.
Postulants also continue formal and informal education.
A one-year Novitiate Program is required by the church for all religious. During this year, the Novice begins to study and appreciate Salesian roots and grows in his awareness of Oblate life and Salesian Spirituality. This year of quiet reflection is the preparation for taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience which will make the Novice a professed Oblate of St. Francis de Sales. Following the Novitiate Program, vows are then taken annually for at least four years before perpetual vows. The Oblates are an apostolic community called to serve the needs of the Church.