FORMATION PROCESS FOR THE
SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY
Candidacy (6 months - 2 years)
The candidacy is a period of reflection and formation that precedes admission to the novitiate.
Novitiate (2 – 2½ years)
The novitiate normally lasts for two years. It is a time during which the novice deepens faith, fosters prayer and to comes to know the person of Jesus more intimately. One year of the novitiate is spent in the novitiate house, this time is called the 'Canonical' Year or Spriritual Year. During this time of formation and education in religious life, the vows, the charism and the mission of the Congregation and our Congragtional tradition, begins. During the novitiate, the novice experiences one year of ministry and community life outside the novitiate, in preparation for life as a professed sister of our Congregation. The process of discernment continues throughout the novitiate period. During this time the novice is helped to be open to the transforming power of God in the following areas - spiritually, relationally, emotionally, sexually and intellectually.
Temporary Profession
At the end of the novitiate the novice makes her first vows, which is also known as being admitted to temporary profession. These vows are normally for a period of four years, renewed annually.
Final Profession
Following the period of temporary profession, a sister who, after prayer and discernment, feels ready to do so may request admission to perpetual profession. In doing so a sister acquires full membership in the Congregation as she freely expresses her joyful response to God’s call to a life of consecrated fidelity by taking perpetual vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, under the patronage of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Ongoing Formation/Lifelong Learning
Recognising that each stage of life has its own distinctive way of experiencing our personal and communal consecration, we commit ourselves to on-going renewal by engaging in lifelong learning and reflective living. We welcome the opportunity for regular renewal and updating of skills for our ministry, work, prayer life and community life.