FORMATION
“The Lord works on our soul as the sculptor works on a piece of wood. He chops, chisels, planes, files, polishes, or paints it; and indeed, sometimes he even gilds it. In the same way, the Lord forms us according to his likeness. Let us work and be glad that he has us in his creative hands.” (Frances Schervier)
Every vocation is the call to respond to the project of love that God has planned for each of us so that the life that has been given to us may bloom and be fully realized. The path of discernment to become a Franciscan Sister of the Poor begins with the desire to do some soul searching with trust, open to God’s creativity, and touched by God’s transforming love.
After some time spent getting to know one another, the first step is the Prenovitiate. In this phase, the person is accompanied in gaining self-awareness, responsibly and with freedom, by experiencing the Gospel lived in community, in prayer, in service to the poor, and in the study of Franciscan spirituality.
The second step is admission to the Novitiate. In this phase, discernment continues regarding consecration among the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, giving time and space to a personal relationship with Jesus, in the Franciscan evangelical style. Participation in the lifestyle and the mission of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor grows both through community life and service to the poor. In addition, time is dedicated to deeper study of the history of the Congregation, the charism, and the vows. Through discussion and check-ins, the Novice is accompanied on her own faith journey to integrate her human, social, and spiritual growth for the possible maturation of her desire to be consecrated through the temporary profession of vows.
During the step of Temporary Profession, the Sister renews the temporary profession of vows while continually strengthening her identity and sense of belonging to the Congregation. She incarnates and carries the charism of Mother Frances through full and active participation in the life of the communities and the Ministries that are entrusted to her. During this time, varied paths of study support her talents and prepare her for the SFP mission. Additionally, intercultural experiences in our different geographic settings are encouraged. During temporary profession, special care is taken of personal and community discernment processes to grow in responsibility, in the coherence of one’s own choices, and in the critical reading of reality and of oneself. It is a time for experimenting in living consecrated life in a balanced way and deepening her capacity to devote herself to others and in prayer.
At the end of Temporary Profession, with the solemn profession of vows, each Franciscan Sister of the Poor is called to continue her growth both as a person and as a consecrated woman in the Church and in the world, by giving joyful testimony to the Gospel and giving herself to the service of her brothers and sisters, in constant listening to the Spirit and the signs of the times.