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"Let those called to live as Franciscan sisters faithfully
follow in the footprints of Our Lord Jesus Christ."
(taken from the Rule of St. Francis)

Religious Formation is a lifetime process of living the Gospel message, following Jesus Christ as St. Francis did, and depending on the Holy Spirit for direction in one's life. We are all called to live this out within the context of our chosen vocation. When one enters religious life, however, she begins a formal program/process of religious instruction and development that leads to a lifetime commitment as a sister. The following steps of that process are listed chronologically:

AFFILIATION:

A period of six months to two years when a woman continues to work and live her current lifestyle, but also meets regularly with her contact sister and becomes acquainted with the community by attending prayer, meals, and social occasions.

POSTULANCY:

Lasting approximately one year, the postulancy is a time of continued discernment when the postulant lives in community and shares in the prayer life, community life, and ministry of the sisters.  This stage gives her the opportunity to seriously consider a call to religious life.

NOVITIATE, AN OVERVIEW:

Lasting two years, the novitiate is a time for deepening one's relationship with God and learning the essentials of religious life within a particular congregation. Study of the Franciscan Rule, the community history and constitutions, and the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience prepare the novice for temporary profession.

• Canonical Year (first year of novitiate): The focus of this special twelve-month period is on prayer, solitude, Franciscan spirituality, the Franciscan Rule, the community charism, and the vows as lived by the "Heading Avenue Franciscans."
• Apostolic Year (second year of novitiate): During this year, the novice focuses on ministry and prepares for temporary profession.

TEMPORARY PROFESSION:

Temporary profession, which lasts anywhere from three to six years, gives a new sister the opportunity to better integrate her spirituality, community life, and ministry into a healthy balance. During this time, she matures in her understanding of living the vows and expands her community and ministry activities.

PERPETUAL PROFESSION:

If a temporary-professed sister has the readiness and desire to profess perpetual vows, she makes a lifetime commitment to God as a Sister of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception. Although initial formation has come to an end, on-going formation--one's spiritual, personal, and communal growth and development--lasts a lifetime. Following in the footprints of Jesus, the sisters strive to live out the community charism: "To live the Gospel, pray, suffer, and love."