Joining a religious community is a process

By Sr. Laura Zelten, OSF

Signs of a call By Sr. Mary Jo Kirt Diocesan Representative for Religious When I see a rose, I know that this beautiful flower is, in fact, a rose because of the shape, fragrance and my memories of past roses. Something similar can be said about meeting a person who is being called by God to give his or her life to God as a priest, brother or sister. • The first sign of this call is a friendship with God. This shows in the person's prayer and life of action as a Christian. • The person God calls finds great joy in being part of his or her parish's life as a server, lector or minister of the Eucharist. • The person God is calling desires to serve God's people and help them know and believe in God's personal love. • The person God is calling finds their support and inspiration from being part of a particular group of religious or in diocesan priesthood. After all is said and done, each vocational call is part of the mystery of God's love. The real test is, "Is this person happy, loving and serving with the energy of God's passionate love for her or him?"

When I give vocation talks, one of the most common questions I am asked is: What is the process of becoming a Religious?

Religious women and men are called to community life. Sometimes they live alone and have to intentionally make connections to make community a reality. Ideally, community is their support for living the vowed life.

My best community experiences have been those in which I could be myself and share joys and struggles. Sharing faith in community enables a Religious to share what God is doing in her life with people of like minds. Belonging to a community gives the impetus to reach out to others in ministry.

The process of becoming a Sister, Brother or priest is somewhat different for each Community. Some aspects need to be the same, because all formation is guided by canon law.

Upon entering a religious congregation, one continues a discernment that began with God's gentle invitation. This discernment is a process; you journey with a formation director each step of the way. Your final commitment is not made immediately upon entrance.

To begin the discernment process, one needs to be a baptized Catholic; believe you are called by God; be able to live in community; have good physical and mental health; be a high school graduate; have a deep desire to serve those in need; have the intellectual ability for service in the Community mission, and be capable of continuing growth as a religious.

Here are guidelines describing the formation process for men and women considering a vowed life of service. Continual formation is important throughout a Religious' life.

• Discernment: This begins with learning about the spirit and ministry of a particular community, becoming acquainted with its members, and considering where your gifts and talents fit. Some communities called this an affiliate stage; It may last from six to 24 months.

• Candidacy/Postulancy: This involves living with Religious for a period of time to become oriented to the life and spirit of a Community. One continues to learn about life and mission through studying the Community's history and spirituality, and through continued sharing of community life and ministry.

• In Canonical Novitiate, one deepens the relationship with God through a year of prayer, solitude and study in order to become more deeply immersed in spiritual life and the call to live as a vowed person in a Community.

• Second-Year Novitiate focuses on continued integration of spirituality, community life, and mission. The experience is deepened through service to God's people.

S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n : Vocations Awareness Week 2004
• Bridging the Gap by Bishop David A. Zubik --     'Many are called:' Let's all be vocations directors  • Profiles of the men who became priests last year     Just what kind of men become priests today?  • Angels in the 'Hood'     Chicago outreach changes lives for inner city people  • How one person made a difference for a seminarian     Support can make all the difference for those     discerning a vocation  • Deacon candidates should show background of service     'Deacons are not simply created by ordination'     • Sidebar: Deacon eligibility  • Norbertine finds that God is always there     God comes to us in many ways, including in the flesh  • Things have changed since the days of veils     Formation for community life has adapted more     for individuality  • Editorial -- Our vocations     One of our callings as Catholics is to look for and     encourage call to the priesthood

• Temporary Vows: This period, lasting three to nine years, provides continued direction, professional preparation and service in the Community's mission. During this period, one may ask for final profession of vows with the Community.

It could be overwhelming to think of going through this on your own. But remember: God leads and guides you.

God uses events and other people to help you co-create your future. What may seem like an accidental meeting could well be a providential one. You may thumb through directories and tons of ads and, one day, "accidentally" meet someone in the store who talks about a particular community or seminary.

Keep exploring in the belief that it is God who leads and guides you. Remember the process is mutual. The Community is also listening to God and will give you honest feedback.

(Sr. Zelten is Director of Vocation Ministry for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross.)