Join Us
Becoming a Sister requires an attitude of openness to the Holy Spirit.
Here are the steps:
- Inquiry—The Vocation Minister gets to know you better and possibly invites you to begin a more formal discernment with our community or you ask to join. You fill out the application forms and go through an assessment.
- Mentoring—This ranges from six months to two years; you live in a House of Discernment with a Sister Mentor to guide you as you learn the nuances of religious life.
- Pre-Novitiate—This ranges from six months to a year; you continue in the House of Discernment and begin more formal studies with a Formation Minister.
- Novitiate—This lasts two years and is the Catholic Church’s requirement for those beginning religious life. Now with the title of “Sister,” you experience the Canonical year as a time of contemplating Christ. The Ministerial year continues in the House of Discernment. During this time you will study the Franciscan rule and our constitutions, as well as participate in some form of ministry.
- Temporary Professed—The Catholic Church provides for a time frame of three to nine years to make a decision for a permanent commitment as a vowed religious. It is during this time that a Sister lives in a local house and engages in ministry or furthers her studies in preparation for ministry.
