People choose to follow Jesus in different ways. 

Marists choose to live the Gospel in the way Mary did.

Some Marists also choose to belong to a religious congregation.

As Marist Sisters we belong to a group of women 

who have all taken three vows: 

poverty - in order to live as simply as we can, sharing all we have, depending upon the group for our physical and material well-being;

chastity or consecrated celibacy - in order to make a particular relationship with our God, loving others as inclusively as we can;

obedience - in order to be available for mission as discerned by our congregation through those appointed to the ministry of leadership.

Our approach to preparing other women to make a life commitment is based on the pilgrim model.

Jesus walked with his disciples on the way to Emmaus, helping them to move through various levels of understanding

We believe that conversion is a process of "pilgrimage-discovery".

Jesus accompanies. He does not force, but gives space and time for an emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical integration of what it means to follow him. (Adapted from the Formation Guidelines of the Marist Sisters)

- a sincere desire to give one's self  to God, 

- a certain spiritual and human maturity, 

- reasonably good physical and psychological health and

-  usually,  the completion of secondary education.

- Pre-candidacy (aspirancy) : a time of getting to know one another - could be a year or more

- Candidacy (postulancy) : living in community, but having outside work - for about one year

- Novitiate : intensive period of spiritual studies and prayer with some apostolic work - two years

- Temporary Profession : beginning with the first profession, vows are renewed annually for up to six years

- Final Profession : Vows are taken for life.

Top of Page

Previous Page

 

Final Vows 2008