Formation

At the origin of the religious consecration there is the call from God for which there is no explanation apart from the love, which He bears for the person whom he calls. This love is absolutely gratuitous, personal, and unique. “Come and you will see…" (John 1:39). Christ invited the Apostles, and they followed Him.

While receiving basic instruction in consecrated life and Catholic doctrine, the sisters in formation actively participate in a program of human, spiritual, academic, and pastoral formation. In all stages of our life, the Eucharist sustains our efforts to grow in virtue and love.


Candidacy

The new candidate is gradually introduced into the life of the community. Living in the convent, she takes part in formation classes, Divine Office, adoration, daily work, and recreation. This immersion experience gives the candidate an opportunity to assess both her call to religious life and her call to the community. It also provides an opportunity for the community to come to know the candidate.


Postulancy

When she's ready, the candidate enters into the postulancy, receives the postulant veil and the miraculous medal. The postulant takes a greater part in community life and learns more about the charism of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church. While spending up to a year as a postulant, she receives basic instruction in consecrated life and Catholic doctrine under the guidance of the Postulant Director. During this time of transition from life in the secular world, the postulant learns to grow in intimacy with Jesus Christ through Eucharistic prayer, the practice of recollection, and joyful community life.

Novitiate

The Novice receives a new religious name and the novice habit in a private ceremony in the presence of the community. The novitiate program typically lasts for two years. The novitiate is "a time of integral initiation into the form of life which the Son of God embraced and which He proposes to us in the gospel…" (DF, 45). During this time, the novice is more fully integrated into the life and charism of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church. Her mind and heart are formed as in the School of Mary, wherein she is led to a more intimate knowledge and love of the Blessed Trinity through the lived experience of the evangelical counsels.

Temporary Profession

Desiring to strengthen her bond with Christ and to derive still more abundant fruit from the grace of her baptism, a sister professes the vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, is consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church, and is incorporated fully and joyfully into the community. Temporary profession is a time to experience and train in the apostolic works of the community while integrating the religious and spiritual training of the novitiate.


Perpetual Profession

After three years of formation and at least four years of temporary vows, the Sister makes her Perpetual Profession of Vows. This profession is a sign of the indissoluble union of Christ with the Church, His spouse. This is the definitive moment of her life-long commitment. It is at this time that she becomes fully incorporated into the community and she receives a silver ring as a sign of her permanent commitment to Christ, her one true Spouse. Perpetual profession, which is an act of religion, is the culmination of the gift of total consecration to God, Who alone is worthy of such a gift of self.