Why should someone think about doing a year of Navigare?

The Navigare year gives a young man the time and environment necessary to put the future into the hands of God. This happens manly though living a life with the brothers where one can learn to pray, work, study and learn how to rest in the community. It is a rare and great opportunity to grow into a man like never before.
-Riley Blanchard

Navigare is a year of growth, seeking greatness in all aspects. Coming out of High School, one might know a lot, but in any case, there is much to learn about communication, studying, working, work ethic, conversations, prayer and spiritual life, teamwork and living with other people which are learned very efficiently and effectively in a year of Navigare. Also, anyone who has perceived any sort of call or inclination to the priesthood should consider it as a prime manner of discernment, and an opportunity therefore little provided.
-Stephen Suddjian

Navigare is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The richness of the year and the immense ocean of opportunities that comes with it is something that every young man will be able to advantage of. It gives you the time to think and discern your future but does so within the context of an extremely productive and life changing year. The year of Navigare taught me how to have great desires for my life and live my life to the fullest in Christ.
​-Mark Lederhos

What are the greatest lessons you learned from Navigare?

I think learning how to grow in virtues, especially: patience, humility and fortitude. I think these virtues were important because they helped me to open my eyes up to greatness and get out of my self. Something very important for becoming a man.
-Riley Blanchard

From Navigare I learned a lot about dependence on other people. It is very natural to man to depend on others, it is the natural path of a family, which is man´s intrinsic vocation. In the community life and in the university life, I learned to ask, to request permission, to receive, and to receive help graciously.
- Stephen Suddjian

Brotherhood. That one word is the greatest thing that this year taught me. On top of that, learning Spanish and seeing the amazing European culture were also amazing. But the fact that I was able to do so within the brotherhood of the Disciples made it so much more fruitful.
-Mark Lederhos

Did you have any hesitations about Navigare before going over?​

I was nervous about many little things: how much time will I have to devote to my own interests? Will I be able to leave on my own? Will I be forced or pressured into pursuing a path of a vocation I did not feel that I received. Although I did not have any major qualms, I would say that these little sensations are nothing more than that, and are insignificant and false worries. They are not worth the time it takes to consider them.
-Stephen Suddjian

I was definitely weighing the options between college and Navigare a lot my Senor year of high school. I didn't know for sure it was the right choice until I fully committed and submitted my application. Once I did that I had a lot of peace and looking back it was one of the greatest decisions I've made!
-Mark Lederhos

​At first yes. But I then realized that there was nothing to lose and that the Lord would bless me abundantly, and He most certainly has. 
-Riley Blanchard

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR YEAR OF NAVIGARE?

My favorite memory of the year of Navigare is not one memory but a number of memories where we were spending time in community. From the amazing Spanish food during the Simposiums to the performances from the brothers during the Filandons, the community of the Disciples makes every second interesting.
-Mark Lederhos

I was very glad to direct our four “navigators” in a small choir, and we sang on many occasions, including the first vows of Br. Erik Reuter, various liturgical celebrations throughout the year, and at a concert at the end of the year. It was a challenge for me, and a joy as well (as challenges tend to be in hindsight).
-Stephen Suddjian

I would say living day to day in the community like another one of the family.
​-Riley Blanchard

What were some of the obstacles or challenges you faced?

For me a big struggle of the year was the studies. We were given quite a number of classes at the University of San Damaso that looking back the superiors realized was too much considering my lower level of Spanish. But even through the struggle I was able to reach out to all the brothers of the community who would help me study, give me their notes, and answer any question I had. It was a very humbling experience that showed me just how much I need others and that without the support of others I won't get very far.
-Mark Lederhos
​
Br. Tomás Sastre told me once, “Stephen, whenever I say anything to you, your immediate reaction is to say “no.” In a year oriented toward greatness, toward magnanimity, this tendency of mine became a challenge and a hindrance. Until one learns to accept freely and fully the will of God, even in the smallest and seemingly most insignificant of situations, one will be in conflict both with himself and with others.
- Stephen Suddjian

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO FUNDRAISE FOR YOUR NAVIGARE YEAR?

I was able to fundraise my whole year of Navigare through a Go Fund Me and sending emails to friends and family members. I was suprised at the generosity of those around me and how much people wanted to help me when they learned the type of year that I was going to embark on.
-Mark Lederhos

I used some savings I had, in addition to many generous donations from friends, friends of family, and parishioners from Saint Mary. I used Go Fund Me. In addition to the amount to be able to go to Spain, the expenses are little; the house of formation pays for all the necessities. 
-Stephen Suddjian

The expenses weren´t really that big. The biggest thing was getting the visa
and buying plane tickets, and I was able to pay for that buy working.
-Riley Blanchard

Questions from Parents

Was Navigare a year that you are glad your son participated in?

We were very happy that our son, Joseph was able to participate in the Navigare year. A gap year that offered so many opportunities for growth was something that went beyond our expectations.  He grew not only in the cultural experience by traveling to amazing places in Europe, but becoming fluent in Spanish. In the Disciples home in Madrid, they live much like a family where everyone has chores and responsibilities they are in charge of.  Joe was in charge of the laundry for the entire community, helping with meal prep, cleaning dishes and yard work.  He became very grateful for all that we provided for him at home!  He learned incredible study skills by establishing a schedule for his day that focused on prayer, friendship, studies and work.
-Mrs. Paolucci

Navigare was a year that completed  our son Riliey's education in a wonderful way.  After studying history he was able to go and see Europe and some of her ancient ruins. After having an introduction to Spanish he was able to speak and write it.  After learning about the beauty of our faith he was able to live it in a community of brothers.  
​-Mrs. Blanchard

The Navagare year was a blessing for our family in many ways.  First, it was a comfort to know that our son was in a good and safe place. This became especially important when we visited him for a week in Spain in March of 2020, then had to return to the US suddenly because of COVID travel restrictions. While hard to leave him in uncertain times, the Disciples did all they could to help them stay healthy and safe. Secondly, it was wonderful to communicate with him over the internet, and learn of all the wonderful experiences the Navagare were able to enjoy. I know the young men grew in holiness and virtue, worked and played hard, and had a blast as well.
-Mrs. Suddjian

WHAT QUESTIONS DID YOU HAVE ABOUT NAVIGARE BEFORE YOUR SON HEADED TO SPAIN?

Before Riley headed to Spain I was confident that he was in good hands because the disciples that we knew were wonderful priests, each unique in personality yet united in the Catholic Faith.
So I didn't have any questions but knew that it would be an adventure.
​-Mrs. Blanchard

We had a lot of paperwork to complete, and the boys had to travel to Los Angeles twice to complete the Visa process. Most of our questions revolved around this process, but we also wanted to know what the day-to-day life would be like. The Disciples were very helpful, and made navigating these questions easier.
-Mrs. Suddjian

Interestingly enough, I didn't have a lot of questions. I was really feeling confident that the Brothers would take good care of him and I was correct.
I was curious about housing conditions, meals, etc. but certainly not concerned.
-Mr. Farrell

How did you see your son change during and after Navigare?

He became more and more sure of himself and in his willingness to discern a vocation. And, he learned to speak Spanish.
-Mr. Blanchard

Calvin's prayer life certainly deepened and he simply matured as a young man. 
While he still has the quirks and habits that make him who he is, I see a young man who views the world differently now. He has a much broader perspective.
Mr. Farrell

Our son grew in joy and responsibility, and in his appreciation of work, study and family life.  He became much more helpful, disciplined, and contemplative
-Mrs. Suddjian

DID YOU HAVE HESITATIONS ABOUT SENDING YOUR SON TO SPAIN FOR A WHOLE YEAR TO LIVE WITH THE DISCIPLES?

Of course we had our concerns about sending our 18 year old halfway around the world, but we knew that it was a safer environment then many of the colleges he could have chosen to go to.  The year he decided to go was 2018 right during the new allegations of priestly abuses.  Our faith in the Disciples and their love for Jesus reassured us that our son would be in good hands.  Not being able to see him for 10 months was another challenge.  It was incredibly hard not to have him home at Christmas but with modern technology we were able to talk frequently over FaceTime or Skype.  It was wonderful to see him mature in ways none of us could have imagined.  In the end it was reminding ourselves that first and foremost, our children are not our own.  They are the Lords and He has plans for their lives that go beyond our plans for them. Trusting God and His will for our child's life is what we had to rest in. 
​-Mrs. Paolucci

My only hesitation was that I knew we would miss him tremendously. Stephen is uniquely gifted with a big heart and he is a fine pianist, so we knew that it would be difficult for us to give him up. But, at the same time, it is a comfort and a joy to know the gift he has been to us, and also to realize that he belongs to Christ, and we are grateful that he is seeking God’s will for his life.
-Mrs. Suddjian

None. My biggest concern was whether or not he would get on the flight in LA! I knew he would be in good hands once he arrived in Spain.
-Mr. Farrell

Do you have any recommendations for parents whose sons are thinking about Navigare?

As with everything we do as parents there is an element of courage.  Riley's  going to Spain was a leap of faith where I trusted in Jesus, and the disciples. That meant stepping aside and letting go of any doubts and fears.  Be not afraid.  (St. John Paul II)
-Mrs. Blanchard

Our son only had remedial experience with Spanish.  It would be helpful to take a Spanish class over the summer to get some exposure to  the language.  
-Mrs. Paolucci

This is a unique opportunity for growth in your son's relationship with Jesus Christ, his connection to the church and his understanding of the world outside of Littleton Colorado. 
If he is at all interested, encourage him to go.
-Mr. Farrell