Formation is the process in which you learn about God’s will for you.  This is achieved through a variety of activities including formal studies, community living, worship and apostolic work.  In the process you discern together with the community if this consecrated life is right for you.

A spiritual assistant or formator accompanies you during this period of study and self-discovery. Honesty and trust are essential to a successful relation between you and your formator.  

  With a few variations, the program is as follows:

Orientation                              Come and See

Solemn Profession                 Life                                          

 In the aspirancy period, you keep contact with a Vocation Director who will try to answer your queries and help you clarify your interest in the Franciscan Order.  Perhaps you may be invited to stay with a community for a couple of days.  This will give you an opportunity to experience community life as an outsider without obligations to remain!

The postulancy allows you to observe and participate in the Order’s life from the inside.  You may live with the Franciscan community but may continue your work or education.  This gives the community the opportunity to observe whether you show promise in living our Franciscan life.  In return you should show sufficient interest and readiness to continue in the next stage of formation as you discern your vocation.

The novitiate is a special period that marks the official entrance into the Order.  Novices spend time in intense study and prayer.  Study usually includes the spiritual tradition of the Franciscans, its history and rules of life.  Prayer above all is directed toward discovering God’s will for you.  At the end of the novitiate, you should be sure about your vocation to make temporary vows or commitment.

The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are made for one year and are renewed for five more years.  This is known as the period of temporary vows.  For special reasons, these temporary vows can be renewed to up to nine years in accordance with Canon Law.  During this period of temporary vows, you may be involved in further studies or work.  When you and your community have come to a clear discernment, you may finally make your solemn profession of vows that will require you to live in poverty, chastity and obedience for the rest of your life.