Stages of Formation

Aspirancy

Before entering the community, an aspirant makes two or three visits over a period of one to two years, each lasting three weeks. During these visits, she lives and works alongside the community, sharing in its daily life and rhythm.

The purpose of these visits is mutual discernment: for the aspirant to come to know the community, and for the community to come to know her. On each visit, she meets individually with the Aspirant Director and the Formation Director to reflect on her experience and continue discerning her vocation.

Discernment to religious life is a time of active listening and response to the call of God. It unfolds slowly and prayerfully, and involves both the aspirant and the community in ongoing reflection.

“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 fully in the life of the community, entering into its rhythm of prayer, lectio divina, work and leisure.

She receives regular spiritual guidance and begins a series of conferences covering the Rule of St Benedict, Lectio Divina, Liturgy, the Psalms, Monastic Values and Practices, and Human Development.

After one to two years, and following discussion with the Abbess and her Council and the Formation Director, the postulant may ask for admission to the Novitiate.

Novitiate

The Novitiate begins with a ceremony in which the postulant receives the monastic habit and a religious name, marking her entry into monastic life. It normally lasts two years.

This period continues the discernment begun in postulancy, clarifying more specifically God’s call to the novice to follow Christ in this community, and deepening her desire to respond to that call.

She continues to receive regular spiritual guidance and conferences with the sisters of 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 — vows traditionally understood to include celibacy and poverty.

Having made temporary profession, the sister enters a period of fuller sharing in community life and gradually takes on greater responsibility. Her love of Christ deepens her preparation for the fuller self-giving to God and the community that solemn profession will mean.

This period of temporary profession lasts five years, during which the sister continues her monastic formation.

Solemn Profession

By her public profession of the monastic vows of Stability, Conversion of Life, and Obedience, the sister consecrates herself to God and to the Church, and commits herself to the community for life.

“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