The gift of a religious vocation grows gradually. Through the initial and ongoing formation of our Sisters, we develop our response to God’s call. As Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, our calling is to follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ after the example of St. Francis and our foundress, Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel. We express our commitment through vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, in community and in serving others. We believe that life in community and service to others is fruitful only to the extent that it flows from our prayer.
Candidate
A candidate is a young woman who is in the process of joining our community. She has not yet entered, but meets with the Vocation Director and reads materials that introduce her to our charism and our community.
A postulant is a young woman who has entered the community and seeks to learn more about Religious Life. A young woman who enters our community is a postulant for about one year before receiving the habit.
A novice is a Sister who has recently received the habit and her Sister name, but has not yet professed the vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. A Sister is a novice in our community for two years.
A Sister who is in Temporary Vows has completed her postulancy and novitiate and has professed the vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity on a temporary basis for five years. She wears a black veil as a sign of her profession.
A Sister in Perpetual Vows has made a life-long commitment to live the vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Her vows are recognized by the Church as lasting covenant between God and the individual Sister. She wears a ring to signify her espousal to Christ.