Stages of Formation

First Stage

Period of Pastoral Care of Vocation.

Aim: Identify the potential candidate.

Objective:

• I) To get to know the candidates more closely.
• II) To find out and see the quality of interest.

Second Stage

Aspirancy: Period of Deepening of Discernment.

Aim:

This is the period of deepening of discernment, it can last from 6 months to 2 years, depending their level of readiness. After journeying with the enquirers for a while, ensuring that they meet the basic requirements, the Vocation Moderator will invite them to join the Stage of Discernment and Verification. "If God is calling and inspiring this person to this life-option then God will give this person the capacity to do so".

Third Stage

Postulancy: To prepare the candidate for the Novitiate.

This period shall not be less than ten months and not more than two years.

Aims:

• I) To permit a gradual transition from lay life to the life proper to our congregation.
• II) To deepen the religious knowledge of the candidate.
• III) To receive some basic spiritual formation.
• IV) To assess the suitability of the candidate for the Consecrated Life.

Fourth Stage

Novitiate: Religious life begins with the Novitiate.

The Novitiate shall last two years, the first twelve months being the Canonical Year.

Aim: The novitiate is to initiate the novice into the Gospel way of life, in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi and to help her develop an in-depth spiritual growth.

Fifth Stage

Temporary Profession: The sister becomes a Temporary member of the Congregation.

The period of temporary profession shall last normally for five years. However, it may be extended for more years if judged as necessary by the Superior General and her council, but it shall not exceed nine years.

This is a time when the temporary professed sister leads more fully the life proper to the congregation and more closely share its mission.

Final Stage

Perpetual Profession: The sister becomes a Permanent member of the Congregation.

The Temporary Professed sister, vow for the rest of her life to live in chastity, poverty and obedience according to the Rule of the Brothers and Sisters Of The Third Order Regular of St Francis of Assisi, approved by Pope John Paul II, and the General Constitutions of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak. She gives herself to this family freely and with her whole heart, and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, she seeks after the Gospel perfection and charity in the service of God and His Church.