When entering into religious life in our community there are
various stages in the process:
Watch a slideshow of these different stages and read more about them below!
Candidate: Once a woman's application has been accepted, she comes to live with us as a candidate. She remains in her lay clothes during this time. She begins to become accustomed to our way of life and also
begins formation classes.
Postulant After living with us for approximately 4 months, the candidate becomes a postulant, donning a gray jumper, white shirt and
a Tau Cross. Her adjustment to prayer, work and ministry in the community will continue,
along with study and classes in the formation house. Postulancy can last from one to two years.
Novice: When the postulant, in dialogue with her sister servant, is ready to make a deeper commitment to the community, she is
invested as a novice. At this time she receives a short white veil, her religious name (she begins to be called "Sister..."), a copy of the TOR
Rule and our community constitutions. Novitiate lasts for nearly two years. During this time contacts outside the community are lessened to allow for a time of deeper prayer and study.
First Vows: After all the requirements for novitiate are met, the sister vows poverty, chastity and obedience for a period of one year. She receives the community habit with a long white veil and the crucifix. She continues to take part in formation classes and various ministry and work experiences. She renews these vows every year until final vows.
Final Vows:After a period of three to six years, the sister will apply to profess her perpetual vows in the community. At this very special time in
her
life and in the life of the community she receives a gold ring,
signifying her permanent commitment. This day is a very special day for the
Sister and for the community. It is her wedding day. She makes
her eternal yes to Jesus her spouse. She vows to live the counsels of
poverty, chastity , and obedience for the rest of her life. The
Sister's family and friends are usually present for this big
celebration that takes place in the ultimate celebration of the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass.
"You shall be a glorious
crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God...
You shall be called "My Delight," and your land "Espoused." (Is 63)
The red roses
in the bridal crown highlight our charism of crucified love through
our call to lay down our life for others. The white roses
represent our call of self gift in the events of daily life.
The white cape not
only is a nuptial garment but also symbolizes the purity and beauty of
our baptismal garment.
The commitment to
religious life is a call to live out our baptismal consecration to its
fullness as we image to the world the union with Christ to which we
are all called here on earth and most perfectly lived out in heaven. ~Constitutions
"As a
young man marries a virgin, your builder shall marry you: And as a bridegroom
rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you." (Is 63)
"Relying on His mercy, I entrust my life
to the chaste, poor, and obedient Christ. I freely choose to
join our Sorrowful Mother at the foot of the cross, and, with St.
Francis as my model of Gospel living, I place myself at the disposal
of this religious congregation, to glorify God and to make known His
merciful Love." ~profession formula
"Our call as religious is not only to
give witness to Christ's loving presence here on earth but to show
that the Incarnate Son of God is the eschatological goal toward which
all things tend, the splendor before which every other light pales,
and the beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human heart." ~Const.
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her
life and in the life of the community she receives a gold ring,
signifying her permanent commitment. This day is a very special day for the
Sister and for the community. It is her wedding day. She makes
her eternal yes to Jesus her spouse. She vows to live the counsels of
poverty, chastity , and obedience for the rest of her life. The
Sister's family and friends are usually present for this big
celebration that takes place in the ultimate celebration of the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass.
