| |
|
| |
Becoming
an Ursuline Sister |
|
The particular
form of Christian life, that is our spiritual legacy from
St. Angela Merici, is one in which growth in contemplative
knowledge and love of God is realised through ministry and
life experience.
Our membership process offers women an opportunity to experience
Ursuline life and to deepen their relationship with Jesus
Christ.
A woman would journey through several distinct steps as she
grows in her understanding of God’s call for her.
|
|
| |
|
| |
These
steps are: |
| |
|
Initial
contact |
| |
The initial
contact is that phase of our incorporation process in which
a Catholic woman, 18 years of age or older, indicates an interest
in our Ursuline life and enters into a period of regular contact
with the Ursulines in order to consider more seriously her vocational
choice. |
|
| |
|
Postulancy |
|
A postulant
has an opportunity to come to know Ursuline life in a deeper
way.
Living in community, the woman participates in our prayer
and ministry. This stage, lasting from six months to two years,
is a time to become better acquainted with the spirit of St.
Angela and of the Order. If the ongoing discernment of the
postulant and the community shows that God is calling her
to Ursuline life, the woman may ask for admission to the novitiate.
|
|
| |
|
|
Novitiate |
|
Novitiate
is that phase of our membership process in which a woman prepares
to take vows as an Ursuline sister.
During this two-year process, a novice examines her call
to religious life in an atmosphere of prayer. This period
of time is to re-orientate one’s life to centre on Jesus
as the focal point. Solitude and silence as well as healthy
community living, are essential conditions for developing
her relationship with Jesus and her ability to reach out to
others.
The second year of novitiate normally includes formative
ministry experiences. Following her ongoing discernment process,
a novice may request to make temporary vows. |
|
| |
| |
Temporary
profession |
|
The
period of temporary profession is that phase of our membership
in which a sister begins her vowed life as an Ursuline.
The focus of this process is a continued response to the
grace of God, and integration of the various aspects of religious
life.
Temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience will be
made, first for three years and then renewed for two years.
The sister continues her discernment process to determine
if God is calling her to a permanent commitment as an Ursuline
sister. |
|
| |
|
| |
Ursuline
membership process |
|
The Ursuline
membership process provides an opportunity for women to know
themselves better and God’s call to them.
It is an extraordinarily thoughtful process that is designed
to give women as much time and experience as necessary to
determine whether or not they have been called to this life.
It is a grace-filled time offering both challenges and joys.
|
|
| |
A group of sisters from different international
communities prepare for the liturgy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
