ALiFe

For those who are interested in the formation process of the sisters at the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, here's an extract of what they go through.

Aspirant
This is a pre-preparation stage where the candidate, as early as 17 years of age, can enter the community. Many of the candidates still attend high school or university, so the duration of this stage differs with each individual, which can last to up to six years.

An aspirant candidate uses the time here to learn about community life and to discern which path she might want to choose later in her community life.

Postulancy
This is a time when the postulant discerns where the Holy Spirit is leading her and she strives to strengthen her personal relationship with Jesus. She studies the history of our community and the spirit of our Founder and Founding Sisters.

The Postulant shares with our sisters in prayer, ministry and community life. During this time she makes the transition from her former way of life to living in community. She seeks to attend the Eucharist daily, whenever possible, and to study Sacred Scripture and spirituality on her journey. She joyfully accepts the challenges of religious life as she moves to the next stage of her journey, the novitiate.


Novitiate
The duration of the novitiate is two years. One of these is designated a canonical year. During the time of novitiate formation, the novice remains in the novitiate community under the direction of the novice directress in a house canonically established for this purpose. The novice is initiated into deeper study and meditation on the life of Jesus through classes in Sacred Scripture, liturgy, theology, and the fundamental elements of consecrated life. She intensifies her life of prayer. She studies the evangelical counsels.

The novice meditatively reads Sacred Scripture, books on spirituality, and lives of the saints. She prays privately and communally. The Liturgy of the Hours has a particular place in her prayer life.

The novice participates in the Eucharistic Liturgy daily, whenever possible. She grows spiritually through days of renewal.

She receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently.

The novice continues her studies of the history and life of the Daughters of Mary. She lives and studies our mission, spirituality, charism, credal and commitment statements.


Second Year Novitiate

During the second year of novitiate, at the discretion of the directress of novices and the Superior General, the novice may have integrated periods of apostolic and community living outside the novitiate community.

These periods of apostolic experience terminate two months prior to profession so the the novice may renew the spirit of her vocation and prepare for her first profession of vows.

Prior to profession, the novice makes a seven-day retreat to prepare herself for union with Christ through the profession of the evangelical counsels.

The novice submits in writing her intention to make profession. After an evaluation by the novice directress, the novice is interviewed by the Superior General. The Superior General, with the consent of her Council, admits the novice to first profession of vows for one year.

By the act of profession, the novice gives herself totally to God and fully participates in the life and mission of the Daughters of Mary.

(To be continued...)