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Vocations
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As vowed members of the Sisters of St. Francis, supported by our life in community, we strive to live the Gospel values as expressed through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience after the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
JOURNEY TO THE VOWED LIFE
What is the process you would follow?
DISCERNMENT
The process begins with a period of discernment that lasts a minimum of one year. During this time you will share experiences with other women who are exploring religious life. You will meet many of the Sisters, and learn about the community�s various ministries. As a woman in discernment, you will have many opportunities to grow in self-awareness and understanding, in relationship with others, and in prayer. You are gradually introduced into our life of prayer, our concepts of simplicity, community, and conversion. You will have a monthly contact with a Sister on the membership team who will help you discern if there is a call to religious life. During this time you will continue your current occupational or educational pursuits.
At the end of the discernment period, you and your Sister mentor will determine your readiness to enter into a three-phase program of formation leading to a permanent commitment as an Oldenburg Franciscan.
PRE-NOVITIATE
As a candidate you come to live with us so as to take a closer look at religious life as it is lived today. A Sister from the Membership Team continues to mentor you during this time of gradual transition and integration into our life. This is a period of learning more about the Oldenburg Franciscans' way of life and continuing to grow in prayer and self understanding. You remain in your full time work. This period lasts a minimum of one year.
NOVITIATE
The novitiate, a two year period, begins with a ceremony of formal reception into our congregation. At this time, you receive the official emblem of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg--a crucifix worn only by members of the community. You live in a community at Oldenburg and enter into a more intense period of learning about our life of prayer, community and ministry. You are supported financially by the Congregation. Your personal and spiritual needs continue to be supported and guided by your Sister-mentor.
The first year of the novitiate is a time of intensive prayer and spiritual direction.. The second year of novitiate is a time for more intense Franciscan studies and the exploration of ministry.
TEMPORARY PROFESSION
At the end of the two-year novitiate you profess the vows of obedience, poverty, and celibate chastity for three years. During this time of temporary profession you live in a local community and are engaged in ministry. You meet regularly with your director in order to discern your readiness to make a permanent commitment as a Sister of St. Francis of Oldenburg. | 
