» Becoming a Sister » Providence Theology & Spirituality » Community » The Incorporation Process

To become a Sister of Divine Providence, requires a process of understanding the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and how these vows influence our theology, community, mission and ministries. This process requires a commitment to personal transformation.

Vowed membership begins with a time of getting to know the community and seeing if you and the sisters "fit" well together. This time is known a s the Inquiry period, when a woman may visit the sisters, share prayer, and join in other prearranged experiences set up by the vocation minister.

At this time, a woman who has been in a discernment process with the vocation minister for at least three months , may have the option to become a live-in Inquirer to get a first hand experience of living as a Sister of Divine Providence. These experiences are to assist the Inquirer in discerning if the call she feels is to our community and way of life.

If the Inquirer and the community discern she is ready to continue the process, the next step is to become a Pre-Novitiate Candidate. At this time the woman lives in community with the sisters and becomes more involved in daily community living. A Pre-Novitiate Candidate is also given a mentor, a sister who will journey with her throughout her time of incorporation, as she shares in the mentor’s experience and wisdom.

Following this begins the Novitiate, a very intense time of discernment and reflection. This period lasts for two years, allowing time for the study of theology, scripture, prayer, the vows, and holistic living as well as community charism and history. During the Novitiate, novices are given opportunities to learn about and experience various ministries of the community.

The next step is the process of professing Temporary Vows. The sister professes to live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. This three- to six-year period is a time to integrate theory and experience in commitment with the community.

The final step of incorporation is the profession of Perpetual Vows, when a sister professes to live her commitment to the vows for life.