At the end of the Novitiate, a seminarian makes his first profession, or first vows, where he commits, temporarily at this stage, to the Society of Mary. After his profession, he travels to Rome for a period of four years to study theology and live in the International Marist formation community, Casa di Maria, with other Marist theology students from around the world.
The first few months after he arrives are dedicated to learning Italian to prepare for life in Rome.
For their studies, Marist seminarians can choose between two of the main universities in Rome, the Gregorian, a Jesuit university with studies being mainly in Italian, or the Angelicum, a Dominican university with studies being in English or Italian.
During the summer breaks, each seminarian is sent to one of the Marist missions worldwide for pastoral experience.
In the final year of their time in Rome, seminarians make their final profession (final vows), where they commit to the Society of Mary for the rest of their lives. A few months later, priest students are ordained as a deacon and serve as a deacon for several months in Rome before returning to New Zealand to be ordained as a priest and begin their first appointment.