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St. Joseph Novitiate in Princess Anne, Maryland,
provides a peaceful setting for prayer and study.
It was officially
blessed by Bishop Michael Saltarelli of Wilmington
on July 29, 2001. |
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First
Formation
Aspirant
During this initial 30-day visit, interested women live, pray
and work with the Sisters in community to become acquainted with
our way of life. If the possibility of a vocation with our
community is discerned, the aspirant is invited to return and
become a postulant.
Postulancy
Postulancy is the time of preparation for entry into
the novitiate. During this time the postulant strives to
ascertain her aptitude for religious life and her vocation to
our community.
Prayer, instruction, and study help the postulant grow in her
knowledge of the truths of faith and acquire a deeper
understanding of Christ and His mission. During this time of
gradual transition to religious life the postulant becomes more
familiar with the manner of life and apostolate of our
community. The community also comes to know the postulant and
her suitability for life among us.
Postulants begin wearing a simple uniform of a blue jumper,
white blouse, and light blue veil. The postulancy lasts for at
least 9 months. When the postulant has the maturity necessary to
respond to this call with freedom and responsibility, she may be
admitted to the novitiate.
Novitiate
The novitiate lasts two years. In the novitiate, the novice
begins to live the religious life and prepares herself for
temporary vows. During this time special attention is given to
her spiritual and ascetical formation. Under the guidance of the
novice directress, the novice learns to be alert and generous in
responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit in her life.
She is encouraged to value silence and solitude in order to
develop an effective relationship with the Lord in her life of
prayer and contemplation. Participation in the life and liturgy
of the Church and prayerful study of Sacred Scripture lead the
novice to follow Christ with deeper knowledge and love.
In her experience of the novitiate, the novice gradually grows
into the spirit of our community and comes to know our
traditions. She learns how to live according to the evangelical
counsels (i.e., the vows), and our Constitutions. She is thus
helped to deepen her understanding of her call to religious
life.
As she shares her life with her sisters in genuine love and
companionship, she comes to realize the meaning and importance
of community for her religious life. Here she learns to accept
her strengths and limitations and to work toward her own
spiritual growth and personal development
The novice also engages in the various areas of our apostolate
during periods of formative activity so that she may
realistically experience the demands which will be made upon her
upon entrance into an apostolic community. Thus, through
alternating periods of contemplation and action, the novice
gains experience in integrating the two movements in her life:
her response to God in prayer and her response to people in
service. In faith she will be able to see that her encounter
with the Lord in prayer brings her close to people, and through
her service of people she meets the Lord.
At the end of the novitiate, the novice publicly commits herself
to God through temporary vows.
Adapted from the Constitutions and
Rule of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary
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