Becoming A Sister Of St Joseph ...

A woman who has expressed a sense of call to embrace the Josephite Charism as a vowed Religious, and who demonstrates that she has the potential to be able to participate in this expression of the Mission of Jesus, will be invited to enter into a process - a 'Come and See' experience - which is intended to assist in developing her understanding of Religious Life, and, in particular, of Josephite Religious Life and Ministry.

For those who discern that their call is to enter more deeply into Josephite vowed life, the journey will proceed through a number of stages, during which they will be 'accompanied' by Josephite mentors.

Stage One: Enquiry

The initial experience, called the 'enquiry' phase, involves interaction with individual Sisters and connection to a local Josephite community, joining them for celebrations, prayer and hospitality. During this time, the 'enquirer' continues her spiritual, personal and professional development. She participates in a formal 'assessment' process to help her in clarifying her call.

Stage Two: Pre-Novitiate

This is the beginning of the formal process of entering into Josephite Initial Formation, and involves living within a Josephite community.

During this Pre-Novitiate period, which is between 6 months and 2 years, the woman, now called a 'candidate', continues to explore and discern the possibility of a call to commitment to God in vowed Josephite life as she lives in community and connects further with the Province or Regional community. During this time she meets regularly with a mentor for spiritual accompaniment and on-going discernment, as she continues with work or study commitments, and participates in some Josephite ministry.

Stage Three: Novitiate

This focused time enables those women who feel called to take a closer look at their desire for this way of life within this particular religious community.

The two-year 'novitiate' phase, which provides intensive theological education, and personal development opportunities, offers the novices opportunity for deepening their knowledge and understanding of the Josephite story, traditions and spirituality. At the end of this time, if the woman, and those accompanying her, discern that it is appropriate for her to continue her journey as a Sister of St Joseph, she will make her first profession of vows.

Stage Four: Temporary Profession

This phase, normally between 5 and 9 years in duration, offers a time of transition from first profession to a life committment in Josephite apostolic life.  It allows the newly-professed Sister to fully experience the Sisters' life-style, respond to its demands and challenges, and find her place in Josephite ministry. It allows her to integrate her spiritual life with the active ministry of a Sister of St Jospeh.

This extended exposure to Josephite community life, spirituality and ministries should enable her to make a prayerful, free and informed decision as to whether she is able make her final profession as a Sister of St Joseph.

Stage Five: Final Profession

"As women religious, God invites us into a relationship which expresses the possibility of life lived to the full.

Through the vows, we enter into right relationship

with God within,

with others

and with our world...

Our life of consecration can mirror to the world its own potential

for dealing positively with difference,

negotiating fear and hurt,

sharing resources

and respecting the equality and dignity of all."

Sisters of St Joseph -

25th General Chapter, October 2007