Five Formation Steps
Five steps to an intentional and patient transition into religious life.
Formation is an intentional and prayerful process to experience religious life. Women spend six to seven years gradually walking through the five steps of religious life with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
Step 1 – Spend time with us
The first step is to spend time with the Sisters.
All women who are feeling called to religious life are encouraged to contact us and come explore life with us in community, prayer, spirituality, and ministry.
Step 2 – Become a Candidate
Second step is to become a Candidate.
A candidate spends six months to one year living in community with the Sisters. She builds relationships with the Sisters, serves alongside them and prays with them while receiving encouragement and instruction.
Step 3 – Become a Novice
The third step is to become a Novice.
As a novice, a woman spends two years in deep prayer and study learning about the depth and breadth of the vows to live in community and preparing for ministry with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
Step 4 – Temporary Vows
The fourth step is Temporary Vows.
Once a woman professes her temporary vows, she spends the next five years living in community under her temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. At this point, she is sharing in the full ministry of the Sisters and discerning her lifetime commitment to religious life with the Sisters.
Step 5 – Perpetual Vows
The fifth step is Perpetual Vows.
After a woman lives the vowed life for five years, she is prepared to make her commitment permanent as a Sister of St. Mary of Oregon who lives simply and serves God joyfully.
Ready to learn more?
Connect with our Vocations Director, Sister Charlene Herinckx at [email protected], to learn more about discernment and to request prayers from our Sisters about your calling.
