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- Formation, for us, is a guided process of personal growth and development through which a woman responds to God's call to be a faithful companion of Jesus.
- Through this spiritual journey, it is hoped that we become women who are integrated whole persons, fully alive and continually growing.
- Formation is a life long process, however there are distinct stages of initial formation in our Society.
- The goal of formation is to prepare us for mission (being sent to our particular ministry) so that we become effective instruments in God's hands for the good of God's people everywhere.
POSTULANCY: PLANTING THE SEED OF VOCATION
Postulancy is a time of personal spiritual growth with a focus on human development. ('Postulare' is a latin word which means 'to ask').
It is a time of asking questions and ultimately of asking to join our Society as a novice.
(This period is between 6 months and 2 years).
NOVITIATE: NURTURING THE SHOOT
This is a time of withdrawal from much external activity for the sake of growth.
It is a time (2-2 ½ years) to:
- Cultivate and nourish our relationship with Jesus.
- Deepen our understanding of ourselves and of the Society we have joined.
- Study our way of life, our origins, our particular way of being a woman on mission.
- Experience serving others and working to fulfill God's dream for our world.
TEMPORARY PROFESSION: SUPPORTING THE SAPLING'S GROWTH
Temporary profession offers the newly professed sister an opportunity to live as a religious woman.
She is encouraged
- to reach out to others,
- to continue growing in relationship with Jesus and with others
- to deepen her understanding of herself with all her gifts as well as her limitations
This time (6 to 9 years before Final Vows) usually includes a combination of ministry and study.
ONGOING GROWTH: THE MATURE TREE
After final profession, ongoing growth and development is the responsibility of the Sister herself who is encouraged, in consultation with her local community leader to use opportunities which arise for personal, spiritual, intellectual and apostolic renewal, recognising that the process of becoming a faithful companion of Jesus is a lifelong journey. Further formation opportunities are offered regularly by provincial and central leadership.
TERTIANSHIP - THIRD YEAR OF FORMATION
The tertianship, or School of the Heart, is a special formation opportunity offered at the Generalate in Stella Maris. It is a time when a sister, with final vows and several years of apostolic experience, is offered a further opportunity for spiritual and personal growth and integration. At the heart of this programme is the Thirty Day Retreat or experience of the full Exercises of St. Ignatius.
WHO IS THE COMPANION FOR EACH STAGE OF THE JOURNEY?
While exploring her vocation: her Spiritual Director and FCJ Guide
As a Postulant: postulancy director
As a Novice: novice director
As a Temporary Professed Sister: A Sister named to have a special care for those in temporary profession and her
local leader
When finally professed: local leader
As a tertian: the tertian directors.
If you would like to know more
about the vocation to be an FCJ sister,
please click on picture at right.
for God could not bestow a greater grace on us,
than to call us to this special service. (Marie Madeleine)