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Formation in our FMIJ Family
The Stages of Formation:
The Stage of Vocational Guidance and Discernment:
During this time, a young woman who has expressed interest in becoming a sister in our Institute is guided by a sister of the Institute, in order to help her to discern her vocation, discern the will of God for her life, and to make a free choice to carry out His will faithfully according to His plan. The stage of vocational guidance usually lasts from six months to one year.
The Stage of Postulancy:
The postulancy program offers to the young woman an opportunity to live in one of our fraternities and to further discern and verify her vocation to our FMIJ family. During the postulancy, the young woman continues a journey of self-knowledge through dialogue with the sisters, spiritual direction an authentic sacramental life and personal prayer. The postulancy program lasts from 6 months to two years, according to the needs and individual program of the postulant.
The Stage of Novitiate:
The novitiate is a time of further initiation into the FMIJ Community, in order to follow more closely Jesus Christ, poor, chaste and obedient, through study of our FMIJ Constitutions, studying and living out in a deeper way the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and a radical living of community life in the fraternity of the novitiate. The novitiate program is two year program.
The Stage of Temporary Profession:
After completion of the novitiate, a young woman professes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The vows are renewed annually for five years, after which time, she may profess vows for life. During the stage of temporary profession, a young woman may enter into full-time ministry and/or continue her studies. During the years of temporary profession, a young woman continues her initial formation, deepening further her commitment to live religious life in our FMIJ family, through prayer, sacramental life, regular spiritual direction and continued study of Franciscan Spirituality and the life and charism of our Mother Foundress, Mother Mary Joseph Micarelli.
Perpetual Profession:
Perpetual profession concludes the time of initial early formation. By perpetual profession, the sister is fully incorporated into the FMIJ Religious Family, and shares fully in it’s apostolic work, at the service of the Church, loving Jesus in the neighbor and the neighbor in Jesus.
The Stages of Formation:
The Stage of Vocational Guidance and Discernment:
During this time, a young woman who has expressed interest in becoming a sister in our Institute is guided by a sister of the Institute, in order to help her to discern her vocation, discern the will of God for her life, and to make a free choice to carry out His will faithfully according to His plan. The stage of vocational guidance usually lasts from six months to one year.
The Stage of Postulancy:
The postulancy program offers to the young woman an opportunity to live in one of our fraternities and to further discern and verify her vocation to our FMIJ family. During the postulancy, the young woman continues a journey of self-knowledge through dialogue with the sisters, spiritual direction an authentic sacramental life and personal prayer. The postulancy program lasts from 6 months to two years, according to the needs and individual program of the postulant.
The Stage of Novitiate:
The novitiate is a time of further initiation into the FMIJ Community, in order to follow more closely Jesus Christ, poor, chaste and obedient, through study of our FMIJ Constitutions, studying and living out in a deeper way the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and a radical living of community life in the fraternity of the novitiate. The novitiate program is two year program.
The Stage of Temporary Profession:
After completion of the novitiate, a young woman professes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The vows are renewed annually for five years, after which time, she may profess vows for life. During the stage of temporary profession, a young woman may enter into full-time ministry and/or continue her studies. During the years of temporary profession, a young woman continues her initial formation, deepening further her commitment to live religious life in our FMIJ family, through prayer, sacramental life, regular spiritual direction and continued study of Franciscan Spirituality and the life and charism of our Mother Foundress, Mother Mary Joseph Micarelli.
Perpetual Profession:
Perpetual profession concludes the time of initial early formation. By perpetual profession, the sister is fully incorporated into the FMIJ Religious Family, and shares fully in it’s apostolic work, at the service of the Church, loving Jesus in the neighbor and the neighbor in Jesus.