Once the six-month probationary period was completed, the young person could apply for full admission. His application and qualities were discussed by the council, who if they found him to be suitable, would recommend that he be accepted by the Director. The ceremony of reception was celebrated with liturgical solemnity twice a year, and had to be preceded by a day of fasting (if the applicant was over 21) or of doing some mortification and finally a confession of sins.
This day, the 26th, all the congregants who had made their first communion, and who had not taken part in the beautiful ceremony of February 2 last year, renewed their baptismal promises and made their act of consecration to the Blessed Virgin between the hands of the Director. Everything was done in conformity with the regulations, with solemnity, and especially with such piety that many shed tears of happiness. God has tangibly poured his grace into the well-disposed hearts of most of the congregants, who were beside themselves with joy and bore witness to it in the most expressive way and in most touching terms when they came out of the chapel.
Diary of the Aix Christian Youth Congregation, 26 June 1814, O.W. XVI
At the end of his period of formation each member of the Youth Congregation was admitted to full membership by professing an Act of Consecration and signing it. The consecration was done through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, and the heart of the consecration prayer was the heart of Eugene’s own spirit which the congregants took as their own spirit:
“Once again, through this official document, we boldly declare that we acknowledge Our Lord Jesus Christ as our God and Saviour, sovereign Lord and Master, whose faithful disciples we wish to be for our entire life.”
The original copy containing the signatures of the congregants is in the OMI General Archives, Rome, (DM VIII 3)
“He who is slowest in making a promise is most faithful in its performance.” Jean Jacques Rousseau