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Steps of the Journey
Discernment: “Come and see”
In time, if she finds that she wants to continue her search, she may ask to live in community in pursuit of the answer to only one question: Is this the life God desires for me?
Candidacy: “Come and live”
Asking to live in community means a woman wants to know, through experience, the Sisters and their way of life. She is now a candidate and shares her daily life with the Sisters while continuing her personal development. She is involved in community life, prayer life and in the work of liberating education. She discovers that, supported by a loving community, she is able to live her faith and values.
When she comes to live in the community, she is a candidate and shares her daily life with the Sisters while continuing her personal development. She is involved in community life, prayer and ministry.
Novitiate: “Come and deepen”
If the desire to know God further in religious life continues to grow, she responds to this desire by asking to begin novitiate, a two-year formation period. As a novice, the sister enters into a time of prayer and study under the guidance of a director who continues to help her discern God’s desire for her.
Religious Profession: “Come and be free”
After a variety of spiritual and apostolic experiences in the novitiate, a novice, in discernment with the Congregation, may ask to become a vowed member of the community.
- Through the vow of poverty, she chooses to live a simple life of sharing and responding to the needs of the poor.
- Through the vow of chastity, she affirms her love of God above all and commits herself to the love of all people.
- Through the vow of obedience, she affirms her desire to dialogue with community in order to discern God’s will.
Your Path ?
Each sister’s story is as unique as she is unique. Each sister’s life is a different journey.
Choose courage! Choose to explore! Choose the journey....
“No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bushel or to put it under a bed. No, it is put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.”
Luke 8:16.
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