Stages of Formation
Aspirancy
An aspirant makes two or three visits, living and working within the community for three weeks at a time over a period of a year to two years. The purpose of these visits is for the aspirant to get to know the community and for the community to get to know her. During her visits she will meet with the Director of Aspirants and the Director of Formation and continue her journey of discernment.
The time of discernment to religious life is a time of active listening and responding to the call of God. Discernment is a two-way process involving both the candidate and the community. It is important that it is undertaken slowly and prayerfully.
“Listen with the ear of your heart” (RB Prologue 1)
‘Your Vocation is to Praise God and for the sake of the whole human family to pour out your prayers to the Lord ‘ Pope Paul VI
Postulancy
After entering the Abbey the postulant shares in the life of the community and enters into the rhythm of prayer, lectio divina, work and leisure.
She will receive regular spiritual guidance and also begin a number of conferences which include the Rule of St Benedict, Lectio Divina, the Liturgy, the Psalm, Monastic Values and Practices, and Human Development.
After a period of a year to two years, and following discussion with the Abbess and her council and Director of Formation, the postulant may ask for admission to the Novitiate.
Novitiate
It begins with a ceremony in which the postulant receives the monastic habit and a religious name. This marks the beginning of monastic life and normally lasts for two years.
This period is intended to continue the process of discernment begun in the postulancy. It will also clarify more specifically God’s call to the novice to follow Christ in our community and to strengthen her desire to respond to that invitation.
She continues regular spiritual guidance and conferences with the sisters in the Formation team.
First Profession
Towards the end of her novitiate, the novice may ask the Chapter to be admitted to temporary profession making the vows of Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience, as traditionally understood to include celibacy and poverty.
Having made her temporary profession the sister enters upon a period of fuller sharing in community life and gradually undertakes more responsibility in the community. Her love of Christ encourages her to make increasingly sincere preparation for her self-giving to God and the community in solemn profession.
The sister will continue her monastic formation during this period which lasts for five years.
Solemn Profession
Total consecration to God and to the Church and her commitment to the community for life is made by the sister’s public profession of the monastic vows of Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience.
“Receive me, Lord, as you have promised and I shall live; do not
disappoint me in my hope.”
(Ps 118 [119]:116) as quoted in RB58.21