Candidate Assessment
Mapping the Journey
Providing critical insight for the formation journey
How We Help
Saint Luke Institute evaluates permanent diaconate, priesthood, and religious life candidates for vocational suitability during an in-depth, multi-day spiritual and psychological assessment. SLI’s assessment provides a practical roadmap for leadership to help guide and deepen the candidate’s journey.
The Saint Luke Institute Candidate Assessment Protocol (SLI-CAP) is a multidisciplinary team approach to psychological assessment using two clinicians and one trained spiritual director. With this collaborative, holistic model we integrate a variety of perspectives and provide the candidate and diocese or religious order with a richer, more positive experience.
The SLI-CAP is based on best practices in psychological and spiritual assessment and is aligned with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in Seminary Admissions.
Components of a Candidate Assessment
The assessment process includes clinical and psychosocial interviews, a spiritual assessment, and intellectual and psychological testing. In addition to a pre-assessment personal profile and spirituality profile, candidates:
- Complete a series of clinical and psychosocial interviews with two trained professionals to explore and understand the candidate’s psychological and psychosocial profile
- Participate in an in-depth interview with a spiritual formator to identify the candidate’s current religious beliefs, practices, and understanding of the discernment process
- Receive intelligence and psychological testing to obtain a current measure of intellectual functioning and to better understand the candidate’s personality profile and general mental health
The evaluation process concludes with a feedback session with the assessment team, candidate, and formation or vocation director. A comprehensive written report with concrete recommendations by area (intellectual, human, spiritual, pastoral) is provided within two weeks.
SLI Candidate Assessment Protocol Training
Teaching practitioners the skills they need to conduct integrated, comprehensive psychological and spiritual evaluations for individuals discerning a call to priesthood or religious life.
“Best Practices in Psychological Screening of Candidates for Priesthood & Religious Life” now available free on-demand.
Register today at SLIconnect.org/training.
