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When a woman desires to become a Sister in the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, she follows these steps to help her know how God might be speaking in her heart:
A person in this program communicates through e-mail or US mail and phone calls with the vocation director. She visits with the Sisters and attends “Come and See” and “Franciscan Life Experience” weekends as her schedule allows. She learns to understand herself better and to learn more about what God is calling her to be and do.
Although younger students may keep in touch, those in the contact program are at least 17 years old. She is in the contact program for at least one year.
An affiliate has a simple, formalized connection with the Sisters, visits regularly, and continues to pray, read, offer service, and talk with a Sister to better understand God's call in her life. At some point before her actual entrance into the community, an affiliate lives with the Sisters for an agreed upon amount of time, as she continues exploring whether or not God is calling her to seek vowed membership in this religious community.
The length of time that a woman is an affiliate will vary, but lasts at least one full year. Exceptions are made in individual situations, but ordinarily the age for an affiliate is 20 to 34 years of age.
Now the young woman lives, prays, and shares daily ministry with the Sisters. In addition, she studies Franciscan ideals and learns more about the desires of her own heart and the community's way of life.
Postulancy usually lasts for one year.
This is a time of special prayer, study, service, and growth. The vows and the Church's understanding of religious life are an important part of this year's study.
The novice does some volunteer work, but otherwise does not participate in ministry outside the community. Rather, she offers her time to the Sisters as she seeks to confirm her belief that God is calling her to this particular community. This time is set aside in a special way to prepare her heart for the profession of vows.
Novitiate can last one or two years.
After novitiate the Sister professes vows and lives in temporary commitment for several years. During this time she fully participates in the life and ministry of the Sisters until she is ready to profess Final Vows.
A Sister lives in temporary commitment for four to six years.
When a Sister professes Final Vows, she assumes her permanent place as a School Sister of St. Francis of Christ the King. Realizing that formation is a lifelong process, she continues to take advantage of opportunities to learn more about our faith ,our Church, and Christian Discipleship; about Franciscanism; and about religious life and the vows. She seeks to deepen her heart's love for God, for prayer, for our religious community, and for all of God's beloved.
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1. Contact Program
5. Temporary Commitment