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Formation

Stages of Initial Formation

1st. Aspirant

This is a young lady who wishes to follow our way of life. This is the beginning of her commitment while she continues to discern her calling. She continues to wear her civil clothes but she partakes of the convent activities and prayer life.

2nd. Candidate

The young lady who has decided to stay on in the convent after completing her time as an aspirant is then received into candidacy. Here she receives new clothing as a mark of her commitment in the service of God and his people. It is also a time of deep discernment on God’s call and her own purpose in religious life.

3rd. Postulancy

After completion of candidacy, the candidate and her directress discuss whether she is fit to continue in this way of life. After examination and prayer, the candidate is then received into postulancy and wears a small veil (including the clothing received at candidacy). This veil re-emphasises her desire to live a life of modesty and humility in the service of God and his people.

4th. Novitiate

“The novitiate is the beginning of life in our community. The novice is to learn the way of life and the vocation of our community; to practise Franciscan spirituality and aspire to grow in the spirit of our Founder Nardini. During the two years of novitiate, the novice is under the guidance of the novice directress with whom she co-operates actively and trustfully.” (Constitution, 5.3) “As a sign that the novice aspires to a more deeper and intensive life according to the Gospel, she receives, at the beginning of novitiate, a religious name and our habit. In the second year, the novice is to endeavour to combine the active and the spiritual life,” (Constitution, 6.2 & 6.3).

5th. Temporary Vows

After her novitiate, the novice applies for the profession of vows. Through her vows, she becomes a full member of our community. She promises obedience to the Community, she commits herself to take on the task and mission of our Religious Community. With an undivided heart, she dedicates herself to God for his greater glory, for the upbuilding of the Church and for the salvation of the people. In this way, she becomes within the Church a sign of the glory to come. She belongs to the Juniorate under the guidance of the juniorate directress. After a period of five years, and after much discernment, the junior sister makes her final vows.

We have two formation houses in South Africa. The initial formation of aspirants and candidates is done in Nkandla while postulants and novices are formed in Vryheid.