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in several stages: |
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Postulancy
The
Postulancy is a gradual initiation of the young woman
into the religious life, lasting from six months to two
years.
During this time, the postulant spends a few hours each day
working in one of our apostolates in Alton, a few hours in
class studying the Catholic faith, Franciscanism, our
Congregation and our way of life, and time in prayer,
growing in her relationship with the Lord and in the
spirituality of our Congregation.
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Meet our Postulants |
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At
the end of the postulancy, the postulant asks to be received into
the Community of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr
St. George.
During a ceremony on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary,
the postulant is received into the Novitiate. She receives
the habit of our Community, her religious name, our Rule and
Constitutions and the Breviary.
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Novitiate
The two year Novitiate lays an
important foundation for the novice's entire
religious life, as she is further introduced into
the life, spirit and mission of our Franciscan
Congregation through prayer, a thorough study of the
Franciscan Rule and Constitutions and participation
in community life.
Meet the First Year Novices
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During the
second year of the Novitiate, the novice is sent on
mission to one of our convents in order to participate in the
religious life of the Sisters and work in one of our
various apostolates for six months before returning
to the Novitiate to prepare for First Profession of
Vows. |
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Meet the Second Year Novices
The final six
months of the Novitiate consist of intensive
preparation for First Profession, at which time the
novice becomes a spouse of Jesus Christ through the
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
First Profession
of Vows is also held on August 15, the Feast of the
Assumption. Each Sister professes her vows publicly
and receives a black veil, a crucifix, and a rosary
of the Seven Joys of Mary.
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Juniorate
Vows are renewed annually, for at least
three years. During this time, each young
Sister lives her life as a Professed Sister,
deepening her religious life according to
the spirit of our Congregation. She also
begins her work or studies at this time.
Meet the Juniors
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Through Final Profession of Vows, the young
Sister hands over her life to God
"forever" within our Community. She
receives a ring as the sign of her
commitment to Jesus. |
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On-Going Formation
We live in creative fidelity until we get to
heaven. Formation does not end with
Final Profession of Vows. Each Sister
strives to grow in her knowledge of our
Lord, of our way of life and of our Catholic
faith throughout her entire life.
Each year, every Sister participates in an
annual retreat, nurturing her prayer life
through this and other times of silence and reflection.
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Our Community also invites priests to give
conferences on various topics to enrich our
life with Christ. Through this
spiritual enrichment,
we continue to grow and enliven one
another’s faith.
With love and gratitude, we remember the
deceased Sisters of our Province St.
Elizabeth. We thank God for calling each of
them to serve Him within our Congregation in
the United States. We thank our Sisters for
their noble sacrifice of leaving their
homeland and families in Germany. We thank
our Sisters for the witness of their
religious lives, for their example and the
spiritual heritage which they have left us,
and for all their hard work in beginning our
apostolates. We ask them to intercede for
us now before the throne of God. We pray
that we will follow in their footsteps and
be loving and faithful Sisters of St.
Francis of the Martyr St. George. |
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