Novitiate (Canonical Novice) - 1 Year

The period of novitiate consists of a two - year program of gradual initiation into the detachment associated with the total gift of self offered in religious life. During the first year as a canonical novice, a Sister is not allowed to pursue secular academic programs nor to take part in the works of charity. Her main concern focuses on a deepening of her prayer life, growth in the knowledge of Christ and the Church, and an understanding of the Rule and Directives of the Congregation. As a canonical novice she wears the same habit as the professed sisters except for the black scapular and black veil. A white veil is worn during the canonical year.

Second Year Novice - 1 Year

At the beginning of the second year of the Novitiate, the Novice receives her black scapular and black veil. During this stage of formation a Sister continues to strive towards:

Deepening her life of prayer
Strengthening her commitment to and love for the Church and for the Congregation

Intensifying her desire to reach out to others through the Apostolic Works of Charity embraced by the Congregation

Once this year has been completed the Novice pronounces her temporary vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for the first time.

Junior Professed 3-5 years

Once temporary vows are pronounced, they are renewed each year for a period of three to five years. During this time the formation of the sister continues and she seeks to correspond with a greater awareness and fidelity to all of the demands of religious life. At the same time she acquires the proficiency necessary for an authentic and effective witness in the Congregation's apostolic works. After three years of temporary vows the junior professed sister may seek permission to pronounce her final vows, espousing herself to Christ forever.

Perpetually Professed - Forever

Two months before perpetual profession, a Sister sets aside her usual occupations and returns to the novitiate for a spiritual preparation period before the taking of the perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and a fourth vow of charity by which she promises to devote herself to the works of charity wherever she is sent.

Chastity: By her vow of chastity, a Sister consecrates herself, body and soul, to God, in a total surrender of love. This preferential love of God is an exceptional gift of grace which transcends human affection and proclaims to the world the existence of realities beyond the present one.
Poverty: By her vow of poverty, following in the footsteps of Christ, a Sister professes to live a life that is poor in fact and in spirit; a life of labor lived in moderation and foreign to earthly riches, a life which proclaims to the world that God is the one thing necessary.
Obedience: Obedience is an entire sacrifice of self which a Sister freely undertakes in a true spirit of faith and love. A Sister voluntarily forsakes her own will and surrenders herself to God's Will, which is manifested to her, in a special way, by her superiors.
Works of Charity: Convinced of the importance of apostolic action, our Founder, Monsignor John Zwijsen, included in the profession of the members of his Congregation, a fourth vow having as its object continual availability. The Sisters individually and collectively undertake to devote themselves to the works of charity proper to the aim of the Congregation.

Perpetual Profession is preceded by a spiritual retreat of eight days. Throughout her life, a Sister is to faithfully continue her own spiritual, doctrinal, and practical formation utilizing the time and resources made available to her.

Hosea 2:14

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness,

and speak tenderly to her."

Our Lady's Corner

With Mary, our lives must continually proclaim the greatness of the Lord and the joy experienced in rendering service to Him.

Postulancy - 6 Months to 1 Year

Prospective candidates for our Community are invited to visit the Motherhouse before admittance to the Congregation and submit the information required to enter religious life. Once accepted, they are given their religious names and receive the postulant habit.

The postulants spend time studying the aim, the purpose, and the spirit or our Congregation. They also pursue a deepening of their prayer life and a greater understanding of and participation in community life. Each postulant makes a retreat of eight full days before entering the Novitiate.