Postulancy

After a simple ceremony, a young woman begins her postulancy. Generally postulancy lasts two years, although this may vary.

The first year of Postulancy

This year is a time of greater focus on human formation and deeper education in the Faith.

► The young woman is introduced to Pauline prayer; the Word of God is central to her daily prayer.

► She grows in knowledge and acceptance of herself with her gifts and limitations, she clarifies the motive for her choices.

► Through study, classes, contact with the sisters and experience, she learns more about the life and mission of the Daughters of St. Paul; she takes part in a variety of apostolic and community projects.

The second year of Postulancy

This year is a more intense preparation for the Novitiate. During this time:

► the young woman will further develop her human and Christian maturity, so as to be able to make a free and conscious response to Christ.

► She is helped to grow in the capacity of acceptance of others, selfless love, and complete dedication to Pauline life.

► The Christian life is deepened. Prayer and a profound relationship with Jesus Master are fostered, permitting her to clarify and deepen her convictions.

► She comes to understand more profoundly what it means to completely dedicate herself in the Pauline apostolic life, growing in collaboration, co-responsibility, interdependence, trust, and reciprocity.

 Novitiate

The Novitiate is the true initiation into the Pauline religious life. In these two years, the novice becomes more greatly aware of her vocation, experiences the Institute’s style of life and takes on its spirit. It is a school of faith, of discipleship, a journey of life that guides the novice towards the radical choice of Christ.

► During the novitiate, the novice grows in all the aspects of her personality, developing her gifts of nature and grace, so that they can be channeled to the glory of God and in the apostolate.

►  Through the ascetical life she opens herself to the Paschal mystery so that she can unify all her energies around Christ the Master.

► Through prayer, study, apostolate, and in community she penetrates and acquires the Pauline spirit and the mission of the Congregation.

►  She studies the signs of the times and seeks to feel the needs of humanity that she might embrace the mission of the Institute.

► She prepares herself for a total, free, and conscious self-donation to the Father in the following of Christ the Master.

Juniorate

After her novitiate, the young woman pronounces her vows with longing for the day she can offer her vows in perpetuity. These vows are called “temporary vows.” As she renews her vows each year, the new sister looks ahead with longing to the joy of voicing her irrevocable yes to God in her perpetual profession. During the period of Juniorate (usually 5 or 6 years in which the vows are renewed each year) the young sister continues her Pauline and academic formation. She engages more fully in the mission and deepens her understanding of all the aspects of Pauline life—consecration, spirituality, and community. Before making her perpetual profession, the young Sister will spend several months in more intense prayer and study for her final vows.

► A Junior generally spends two years in one of our communities, sharing in the joys and struggles of the community, learning to take on apostolic responsibilities, and participating in the life of the Institute fully.

► She continues her spiritual, apostolic, doctrinal and practical formation, integrating study and apostolate, so as to be equipped to carry out the specific mission of the Institute.

► Every year she spends some time in a national or continental Encounter with the other junior professed sisters of her nation or continent.

► The year before she pronounces her final vows is spent in more intense preparation.

Perpetual Profession

Perpetual profession is the culmination of the initial formation process. In the decisive act of perpetual profession, the Father, in Christ, through the power of his Spirit and the mediation of the Church, consecrates the life of the professed sister to himself forever. God calls her to live and express in a special way the fullness of her baptismal consecration and places her at the service of evangelization in the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Paul. It is a covenant of love that creates a new and definitive bond between the sister and God, as well as with the Church and Congregation.

Ongoing Formation

The original beauty and perennial newness of the gift of God that we have received must be continually fanned into flame so that we can respond to the will of God in an always new way.

► The sister continues the process of personal unification of life in Christ the Master and the commitment to radically live the demands of the evangelical counsels in the institute of the Daughters of St. Paul.

► She collaborates in building an authentic community.

► The sister and the community remain constantly prepared to courageously and prudently take on the most rapid and effective methods and means of evangelization.

► She involves herself in a continual process of renewal and updating, so as to improve her professional preparation and competence.

► The sister lives daily life as the context in which she encounters God who gives meaning to everything.