Formation and Incorporation into the Congregation
The goal of religious formation is the growth of the whole person as a member of our Franciscan community. It leads to the responsible use of freedom within the context of community. Through sequential stages of initial religious formation, development of a woman as a Franciscan sister encompasses all aspects of life. With the guidance of formation personnel, she is gradually introduced to the life, spirit, traditions, and works of the congregation.
Stages
Pre-Novitiate/Candidate: 1-2 years This period marks the development of readiness for life in our community. During the pre-novitiate stage the candidate, under the guidance of a directress, is led to a deeper knowledge and appreciation of herself as a person called into religious life and service by God. During this period the candidate explores the meaning of being a Franciscan woman religious within community. This time provides the opportunity for mutual discernment regarding the woman's vocation to religious life in our particular community. During this time the candidate lives with a local community in an environment conducive to facilitating her transition to religious community life.
Novitiate: 2 years This period marks the formal beginning of religious life in our congregation. The novitiate is a two-year process involving time and space for a radical reorientation of the person seeking consecrated life in community. The novice seeks in faith to discern a presence of the charism to religious life as interpreted in our constitution and as expressed by our province, for ministering to the needs of the church and our times. The novitiate program is oriented toward personal integration, the internalization of values, the instruction in our Franciscan Gospel way of life, and preparation for commitment to God in our congregation. The novitiate concentrates on the novice's deepening of her understanding and experience of being a Franciscan sister in our community, and focuses on continued study and/or preparation for ministry.
Temporary Profession: 3-6years This period marks a time of lived experience of our vowed life in common as well as an experience of full time active ministry. During her time of temporary profession the sister continues to integrate the various aspects of her religious life, to expand her community and ministerial activities, and to further discern her religious vocation.
Perpetual Profession: Through her profession of perpetual vows, a sister becomes part of the congregation for life. She continues in her religious growth and development through a deepening of her religious commitment through prayer, reflection, and by participating in opportunities for personal, cultural and educational enrichment.
Transfer Process
The transfer is a legal procedure by which a religious, in perpetual vows, transfers from her original congregation to another religious congregation. The Wheaton Franciscan Sisters welcome sisters to discern with us a call to our congregation. A Sister who transfers to our province from another religious community participates in a process of incorporation and formation which takes into account her personal circumstances of background, profession, talents, and needs.
For information about our integration and transfer process, please contact:
S. Gabriele Ühlein, OSF
Formation Directress
26W171 Roosevelt Road
P. O. Box 667 Wheaton, IL 60189-0667
(630) 462-7422
guhlein@wheatonfranciscan.org
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