Formation

A Prayer Event

Pope Benedict XVI placed the call of the disciples within the context of the intimate  prayer of Jesus, making every vocational call ’a prayer event’.

"Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him." (Mark 3:13)

The calling of the disciples is a prayer event, it is as if they were begotten in prayer, in intimacy with the Father. Their calling emerges from the Son’s dialogue with the Father and is anchored there.

(Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) Jesus of Nazareth)

This beautiful and amazing insight of every vocation being ‘a prayer event’ grounded in the intimacy of Jesus in prayer with His Father, is the inspiration for our daily prayer for vocations in union with the prayer of Jesus. This is what Jesus asks of us when he said, “The harvest is great but the labourers are few; so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers  into his harvest”. (Luke 10)

Every day we pray the Prayer before the Crucifix for all who are discerning their vocation in life. This is the prayer Saint Francis prayed during his period of discernment.

Most High,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord,
that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
Amen.

If YOU who are reading this are seeking to know God’s plan and dream for your life, know that we are praying for YOU.

Stages of Formation

1. Accompaniment Programme for Vocation Discerners
2. Candidacy
3. Postulancy
4. Noviciate
5. Junior Profession
6. Perpetual Profession
7. On-Going Formation

Accompaniment Programme
Following several meetings with a Sister, a person may wish to enter the Accompaniment Programme which specifically explores the call to our Congregation. Discernment is a two-way process. As the person discerns her call to our way of life, the community also discerns the person's suitability for life in our Congregation. This period is flexible and the next step depends on the readiness to commit as a Candidate.

If anyone, wishing by inspiration to accept this life, comes to us, let them be received with kindness.  At the appropriate time they are to be presented to the ministers who have the authority to admit them.
(TOR Rule Chapter II)

Candidacy
Following a period of discernment, a person may wish to become a Candidate. This period is a more formal introduction into the life of the community. There is a short Prayer Service at the beginning of this stage of formation which is designed to meet each individual's unique needs and stage of maturity. The period of Candidacy usually lasts no longer than two years.

Postulancy
It takes time in faith, prayer and discernment to commit oneself to God in Religious Life. The initial stages of formation are designed to help a person grow towards a fuller understanding of what God is asking. The ceremony of reception as a Postulant is simple during which a person receives the Tau Cross. This stage is flexible,  six months - two years.

Noviciate

In the House of Formation the time is spent in prayer and study of the Gospel values, of our Franciscan heritage and the history and charism of our Congregation, and much more. At the end of these initial stages of formation, through personal and community discernment, the person is ready to commit herself to God through a life of chastity, poverty and obedience, for a period of at least three years leading to a lifelong commitment.

First Profession 

At the end of Noviciate, there is a period of Junior Profession. During the Mass of First Profession, a person receives the habit of the Congregation together with the books of The Rule, Constitutions and Charism. The white veil of the Novice is replaced by the black veil of the Professed.

Receive this veil which proclaims that you belong entirely to Christ the Lord
and are dedicated to the service of the Church.

Perpetual Profession

When those God has called respond and vow themselves to Him, He puts His seal on them 'You are Mine'. Perpetual Profession is an act of God by which He consecrates persons to Himself, assuring them of His constant love and support, 'I am with you always'.
(FSM Constitutions Chapter V)

Receive this ring,
for you are betrothed to the eternal King;
keep faith with your Bridegroom
so that you may come to the wedding feast
of eternal joy.

This gift of ourselves to God is accepted by the Church, and by it we are also dedicated to her service, which continues the work of Christ in the world. (FSM Constitutions Chapter V)

God in His Mercy has called us not for our own good alone but for the good of the many.
 (Saint Francis)

On Going Formation

Formation is not finished at the time of Perpetual Profession. God keeps calling us that we might be constantly renewed. He offers us, daily, opportunities of fuller surrender to Him in our life and mission, and by responding, our relationship with Him is constantly growing to maturity. (FSM Constitutions Chapter V)

In the words of Saint Francis

Therefore hold back nothing of yourselves, for yourselves
so that He who gives Himself totally to you, may receive you totally.

If you are interested in finding out more about

• Religious Life in a changing world
• the difference between monastic, apostolic and Franciscan Evangelical Religious Life
  
• the radical gift of the Vows
• the call to prophecy
• the call to mysticism
• the call of the Holy Spirit to strike out on new paths
• the call to ‘wake up the world’ as a witness to the joy of the Gospel
• the unique history and charism of our Franciscan Minoress Congregation

then this is the book for you.

Available from Gracewing Publications www.gracewing.co.uk