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Introduction to the way of life of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus begins with
a period of Affiliation. During this time, which lasts for six months or longer, a woman who may be
interested in joining our Community continues to live her life in the world but comes to the Community
for several visits. During these visits the prospective candidate participates in the life of the Community;
in our prayer, meals, recreation, work, and apostolates while she discerns, with her spiritual director,
whether or not she is called to our way of life. After six months, a woman who feels called to try her
vocation with us may apply to enter the Community.
Postulancy marks the formal beginning of religious formation in our Community and generally lasts a year
but may be extended to two years. Postulancy is a time of testing and discernment both on the part of
the Postulant and the Community as to whether the Postulant actually has a call to religious life in
this Community. She and the Community seek to answer the question, "Is the Postulant able and willing to
live the evangelical vows according to the rules and norms of our Community?" It is during her Postulancy
that the candidate is introduced to the essential elements of the religious way of life and to the Franciscan
spirituality which we live.
The Novitiate is a time of intense formation in the spiritual and religious way of life, in our Rule,
our Constitutions and in the Theology of the Vows. It is also a time of deepening one’s relationship
with God in preparation for the day that the Sister will profess first vows, becoming totally consecrated
to Our Lord. The Novitiate generally lasts two years with the first year being the canonical year required
by Church Law. It is on entry into the Novitiate that the young Sister receives the holy habit of our
Community with the Novice’s white veil. It is also at this time that she receives her new name in religious life.
Sisters who have successfully completed their year of Postulancy and two years of Novitiate are admitted
to temporary vows. During this time as a junior religious the newly professed Sister may become more
actively engaged in the apostolic works of the Community or may take college or university courses to
prepare her for such works. In addition, she will continue her religious formation as a junior Sister
of the Community in preparation for her final Profession of Vows when she will become a Bride of Christ forever.
Since we are a community-in-formation the vows of all of the professed Sisters are renewed annually on
December 8th, the Feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception, a Patronal Feast of the Franciscan Order.
Once we have canonical approval, all of the professed Sisters eligible at that time will make a perpetual
profession of their religious vows. Thereafter, professed Sisters in temporary vows will renew their
vows annually for up to nine years. After six years of temporary profession the Sister is free to make
perpetual profession in our Community. At the time of her ninth year of temporary profession the Sister
must then either profess perpetual vows or leave the Community.
Even after a Sister has made perpetual profession, her religious formation continues for the duration
of her life on earth. As true spouses of Christ, we are always seeking to know Him more intimately
and to serve Him more perfectly. This we do through our ongoing formation in the ways of the spiritual
and religious life.
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