The Formation Process

The journey to religious life is a profound and personal one. It begins with listening to the call of God––and answering it.
The Tertiary Sisters put each woman at the centre of their formation process, letting her experiences and background guide her on her path to religious life.

The guide below outlines the steps to our formation process. It is intentionally slow, contemplative, and free of pressure. Women are free to leave the formation programme at any time. Formation is not only about preparing for the sisterhood, but for discerning how you can best serve God and humanity.

The Process

Inquiry

Am I hearing a call?

This is the initial stage where an individual feels a pull or calling towards a religious life. It’s probably where you find yourself right now.

It’s a deeply personal process of self-exploration, research, and prayerful contemplation about whether religious life is right for her.

While this is a personal journey, it’s not one you should take alone. Consultation with our vocations team, trusted family and friends, and regular prayer inform one’s decision whether to take the next step.

Inquiry

Postulancy

6-24 months
The first step into religious life

Think of the postulancy as an introduction to religious life. During this stage, you live and pray with the religious community, take classes to learn more about the Congregation and religious life, and may participate in apostolic works of the Sisters.

It’s a time of mutual discernment, where both the individual and the community ask questions of each other.

Great emphasis is placed on forming friendships––the bonds of sisterhood––with your fellow postulants and with the sisters who will mentor you.

Postulancy

Novitiate

2 years
Deepening commitment

The primary emphasis of the two-year Novitiate period is to deepen your personal relationship with Christ, contemplated in the light of the Franciscan Spirituality.

It’s also a time for expanding understanding of the Tertiary Sisters’ charism and spirituality, as well as of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

At the end of the Novitiate, the novice requests to make her First Profession. With the approval of the community of the Sisters and the Superior in charge, she makes her first profession––her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Novitiate

Juniorate

5-9 years
Living the Tertiary Sisters Charism

The Juniorate follows the Novitiate and lasts until Perpetual Profession. During the five years of the Juniorate, the woman––now a Sister––renews her profession every year.

During this time, the woman continues her formation, learning and experiencing more about the Congregation, taking on new responsibilities and learning new skills in the field. She participates more deeply in the life of the community, both in spiritual and apostolic dimensions.

“The purpose is to transform the spiritual enthusiasm of the initial stages of formation into love, to continue with human and spiritual growth…” –Formation Guide, p. 25

Juniorate

Perpetual Vows

A sister in full

After getting to know the community for at least five years, a Sister states her readiness and desire to live as a full member of the Congregation. If accepted, she makes her perpetual profession of vows as a Tertiary Sister of St. Francis.

“Through the Final Profession the Sister is definitely incorporated into the Congregation” –The Constitutions of the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis 6,31

Perpetual Vows

Ongoing Formation

A lifelong process

Spiritual growth, learning, and contemplation of one’s relationship with God and humanity are lifelong endeavors.

Every day, our sisters seek to improve their skills, grow as people, and deepen their faith.

Ongoing Formation

Formation Guide

The Tertiary Sisters’ Formation Guide governs our formation programme. It give great detail on our philosophy, our values, and what we teach in our programme. You can read it below or download a PDF.