Consider Becoming
Our Franciscan Sister
What qualifications are needed?
- Being open and desiring to explore what it is God is asking of you
- Professing the Catholic faith for at least the last three years
- Being in good physical and mental health
- Being a single person between the ages of 20 and 45
- Being open to continue learning
- Having work experience and/or education, preferably at least two years of college or other education beyond high school
- Having experience in volunteer service
What kind of Catholic spirituality must I have in order to begin discernment to be a Sister?
Some folks think there are “types” of women that are more likely to be Sisters. Others believe they have to be perfect to become a Sister. Remember that the men and women with whom Jesus hung out weren’t perfect by any means. However, their relationship with Jesus kept them changing and becoming more like him. It was in their relationships with others that Christ was made visible in the lives they served.
If you’re even thinking about becoming a Sister, you might want to look inside yourself and see if you have a relationship with Jesus that is growing and developing.
- Are the sacraments, the Eucharist and the Scriptures a part of your life?
- How do you bring Jesus into the lives of others in your relationships and your service to others?
- How open are you to learning and are you willing to enter the mystery of “vocation” without a pre-determined outcome?
Self-righteousness, having all the answers, judging others on their compliance with Church laws are not qualities that show openness to the Holy Spirit and don’t reflect the inclusive love that Jesus practiced.
How do I go about choosing?
The process is called discernment—a decision made in faith in which you enter into an attitude of holy indifference so that you are open to what God is inviting you. You do this by
- prayer
- participation in the sacraments especially the Eucharist
- relationship with a spiritual director
- conversations with those whose heart you trust
- and visits to ours and other religious congregations.
What must I do once I’ve decided on a community?
You and the Vocation Minister will get to know each other better and you will either be invited to join or you will ask to join. You will be given application forms to fill out and have some assessments done. Throughout that time we will get to know each other better and you will be invited to communal gatherings as well as individual local communities for meals and prayers. Click here to contact Sister Marcy.
