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Formation for Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition is both initial and on going.
Initial formation covers the stages:
Prepostulate - length of time varies with each candidate according to needs of each province
Postulate - one year, a stage of discernment and growth
Novitiate - two years, preferably in the country of origin or cultural milieu of the novice
Juniorate - five years, may be lengthened as individual needs dictate.
On-going formation is intended to be of spiritual and practical assistance to each sister in her mission. It aims to ensure that the sisters have the necessary competence for the responsibilities and services entrusted to them, and that their spiritual development is continually being nurtured.
On-going formation
- considers the personality and history of each person
- facilitates an education towards personal freedom
- initiates each one into the process of spiritual discernment
- endeavours to enable the move from an excessively subjective way of living towards making a place for others in their lives
- facilitates growth in maturity through renunciation, effort and the ability to handle success and failure
- creates inner strength so that each member becomes a "Gospel witness", a person "on fire", living in the present on the human, spiritual and ecclesial level
On going formation
"Formation must sustain conversion at every stage of life." (Const. 18)
In order to respond adequately to the challenges of our times in the world which is in a state of continual change and to which God sends us to live and incarnate his Saving Love, there must be continual growth and maturing on both the human and spiritual planes. Personal evaluation and assessment are integral to this growth.
The Christian life, and in a particular manner, the Religious life is a way of becoming Christ-like... This goal is never fully attained, but the conversion process is the work of a lifetime.
The fundamental values of Religious Apostolic Life do not change but the manner of incarnating them must be adapted to the needs of the world.
The aims of on going formation are:
- To bring about the growth of the person at all levels
- To consolidate attitudes of availability and docility to the action of the Spirit, in order to nurture one's inner freedom for being, loving and serving
- To foster missionary impetus and apostolic renewal according to one's capabilities at the different stages of life
- To deepen our sense of belonging to the Congregation
- To grow in maturity and in living community life.
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