How Do I Become a Sister?

Becoming a Sister is a step-by-step process. Women are guided through making this decision with the support of the Sisters and the communities they serve. The first questions to be asked can be found on the How Do I Know page. It is important that women tune in to the voice within them that is nudging them to become a Sister and pray to God for the grace to be open to God’s will. Women first need to gather more information so the commitment to this way of life is fully understood. Our Sisters are here to help guide decision making.

Discernment

1. Ask for information about the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother by contacting the Vocations Director, Sister Dorothy Ann Dirkx, by e-mailing her at ssmvoc@gmail.com or calling her at 973-627-0424 (or you can contact any other Sister) and tell her about your interest in becoming a Sister or share your questions about religious life with her.

2. Browse the following Web sites of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother: www.ssmgen.org (the international headquarters), www.ssmfranciscans.org (the main site of the U.S./Caribbean Province of SSM), www.motherfrancesstreitel.org (the microsite about our Foundress) and this Web site. Share your comments and questions with the Vocations Director.

3. Attend a Discernment Retreat and/or a "Come and Learn" session with other young women interested in religious life to learn more about the spirituality and charism of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. See dates and locations on our Retreats page.

4. Fill out the Self Quiz on this Web site.

5. Read and reflect upon the information you've learned and the materials sent to you. Share your thoughts and insights with the Vocations Director or any other Sister.

6. Begin a Pre-Postulancy phase preparing to enter the SSM community.

Formation within the Community

The Postulancy: A Postulant spends a year living within one of the Sister communities while learning the ways of community life. Study, prayer and service for others are part of this year.

Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi

Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Vocations - 9 Pocono Road - Denville, NJ 07834 - 973-627-0424 - ssmvoc@gmail.com

Sister Christine

Novitiate:

The purpose of the two-year novitiate is to enable the Novice to experience the following of Jesus Christ through living according to Our Way of Life, our Constitution, that outlines how we fulfill our charism.

Through the daily experience of prayer and detachment, the Novice gradually makes a decision about commitment to God as a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother.

The Novitiate is a time for building a spiritual foundation for living consecrated life according to the charism of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. The first year is called the Canonical Novitiate. Contemplative prayer, reflective living and study of the rule deepens the understanding and experience of religious life. In the second year, the Apostolic Novitiate, study and religious life continues but there is ministry to the poor.

Profession of Vows

Profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience follow the Novitiate. These three vows, based on Gospel invitations given by Jesus, are public acknowledgements of the acceptance and commitment to live the religious life as a Sister. Vows are made for a limited time, four to six years.

During this time, a newly professed Sister engages in full-time ministry (apostolate), with continued formative studies. Or she would be engaged in studies that prepare her professionally for the ministry to which she would be assigned.

Perpetual Vows

Perpetual Vows are made for life after a Sister is confident that this is the life she is being called to live.

© Copyright 2012 Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.