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Vocational Discernment Our work of discernment with young women is based on the conviction that each religious vocation is born and develops in the Church and for the Church and reaches the fullness of love through the charism proper to each religious institute. Our vocational discernment, therefore, is a service given to the Church, so that the gifts bestowed by God on his people might find a generous welcome everywhere and the Church might effectively carry out her service of evangelization. Application Process After a young woman has spent time in prayer and discernment and
has grown in her knowledge of the community by visiting and working
alongside the Sisters, The Admissions Process is a time of deeper discernment which is carried out in stages, beginning with the writing of a brief autobiographical sketch. After this autobiography has been submitted and the young woman has been advised to continue with her application, she fills out a questionnaire about her life and her health, submits school transcripts and speaks with the Sisters personally of her desire and aptitude for religious life. In discernment, we seek to: Help a young woman accept her own life and the lives of others
as gifts of God. For more information about help with your own discernment, please contact the Sisters at the convent nearest you. Candidacy Although not required for entrance, the Candidacy Program may be advised for those who have completed the admissions process but for various reasons (for example: payment of debts, completion of education, etc.) are not ready for entrance into the Postulancy program. Candidacy may be lived at home, or in one of the local communities of the Daughters of St. Paul. It seeks to put the young woman in closer contact with the congregation through: personal understanding of her call from God, readings and reflections on various aspects of the Pauline charism, and experiencing the apostolic work of the community as much as possible. The candidate is accompanied spiritually by a Sister. There is no established length for this stage of formation. Each person is considered with her own personal and unique gifts, situation and circumstances and advised accordingly. Postulancy Generally Postulancy lasts two years, although this may vary. The first year of Postulancy is a time of greater focus on human formation and adult education in the Faith. The second year of Postulancy is a more intense preparation for the Novitiate. During this time, the young woman will further develop her human and Christian maturity, and come to understand more deeply what it means to completely dedicate herself in the Pauline apostolic life. During the Postulancy, a young woman is initiated into Pauline prayer life: the reading of Scripture, meditation, participation at Mass, daily Hour of Adoration, retreats, and other means of spiritual growth. Novitiate The Novitiate is a two-year program of real initiation into the Pauline religious life. Building on the Postulancy, the novice becomes more greatly aware of her vocation, experiences the Institute’s style of life and takes on its spirit. In prayer, study, the mission and fraternal communion, the novice embraces the Pauline charism and prepares for consecration to the Lord in the profession of her first vows. Juniorate The Juniorate is the time of temporary vows that are renewed each year for a period of five years. The junior professed Sister continues her Pauline and academic formation, engages more fully in the mission and deepens her understanding of all the aspects of Pauline life—consecration, spirituality and community. Upon completion of the Juniorate, the young Sister will spend some months in intense preparation for her final vows. Perpetual Profession In the decisive act of perpetual profession, God consecrates the life of the Sister to himself forever and places it at the service of the Church in the congregation of the Daughters of St. Paul. Rooted in God, the professed Sister responds with a public and definitive commitment and continually directs her life to him for the proclamation of the Gospel in the spirit of St. Paul. For Further Information Sr. Margaret Michael, fsp or to the address nearest you: Virginia
South Carolina
Illinois
Hawaii
Florida
Louisiana
Pennsylvania
Missouri
Texas
California 46 Geary St., San Francisco, 3908 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City,
New Jersey
New York
Canada
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