Formation Program
From our baptism, God has been active in our lives, calling each of us. As RSHM, we recognize God’s invitation to a radical commitment to follow Christ through vowed life lived in community. The essence of our formation is our response to this invitation. Formation is a life-long process, extending throughout our lives.
We are an international congregation with sisters serving in a variety of ministries in 13 countries. We view internationality as a gift that enables us to reach beyond national boundaries to serve wherever there is a need. Thus, an experience of living with sisters from many countries in our Institute’s international bilingual novitiate is part of our formation program.
Stages of Formation:
Inquiry:
- You will meet and have ongoing discussions with our Director of Vocations.
- You will probably also be mentored by a spiritual director who will help you understand God’s call for you.
- You will have opportunities to get to know the RSHM and for them to get to know you.
Pre-Novitiate:
- While you maintain your current employment or education, you will move into and share the daily life of a local community.
- You will come to a greater understanding of the RSHM mission and spirit as you continue to discern God’s call and your response.
- In preparation for your time in our bilingual Institute novitiate in Brazil, you will begin your study of Portuguese and English.
Novitiate: (2 years)
- Living in the International Institute novitiate in Brazil, you will be part of a multi-national, bilngual community of professed sisters and novices who may come from the United States, Latin and South America, Europe, and Africa.
- The first novitiate year is devoted to a study of the mission, history, and spirit of the RSHM Institute, a study of the vows, and the deepening of your own prayer and spiritual life.
- During your second year, you will have the opportunities to experience a variety of ministries.
- At the conclusion of the novitiate, you profess your vows of chastity, poverty and obedience as a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
Temporary Profession: (approximately 6 years)
- During this time, you may live and minister in your country of origin and /or in other parts of the Institute.
- You will learn to integrate prayer, community life and ministry, and will continue to study RSHM history, Constitutions, and other documents.
- As you deepen your relationship with God and with the Institute, an RSHM will “accompany” you, assisting you in journeying towards a perpetual profession.
- At the end of this period, you will being the process of preparing to make your perpetual vows, which are both a culmination of your initial formation and the continuation of your life-long formation.