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James Alberione | Thecla Merlo | Pauline Spirituality & Mission | Formation | E-mail Us

Formation

Stages of Initial Formation

Initial formation which comprises postulancy, novitiate and juniorate, prepares the candidate for the definitive commitment of perpetual profession and situates the Daughters of St. Paul in a dynamism of growth that lasts for her whole life.

PRE-POSTULANCY

The pre-postulancy period continues to pursue and deepen the objective of vocation work: to help the young woman discover God's plan for her life and evaluate whether or not that plan is in harmony with the Pauline vocation.( General Guidelines for Formation and Studies,FSP)
POSTULANCY
Postulancy favors the gradual transition to the life of the novitiate. With the help of the mistress, the young woman evaluates her human maturity, deepens Christian life through study and through her personal relationship with Christ, experiences for herself what are the exigencies and dimensions of the life of the Congregation, and discerns the authenticity of her call to the Pauline life. ( Constitutions and Directory, Chapter 3, Art.91 )

NOVITIATE
Novitiate is the real initiation into the Pauline religious life. It is a time set apart for reflection, self-discipline, and contemplation, during which the novice profoundly adheres to Christ in the knowledge and practice of the evangelical counsels and strives to make the Pauline charism her own by meditation on God's action in the history of the Congregation and by assimilation of the Constitutions. ( Constitutions and Directory, Chapter 3, Art.94 )

JUNIORATE
The juniorate corresponds to the period of temporary vows. It is a time in which the young professed sister is inserted more completely into the life and mission of the Institute. She continues the process of bringing her vocation to maturity and of unifying her life with Christ; she ascertains her ability to live forever the demands of the Pauline charism; she prepares herself for her definitive consecration. ( Constitutions and Directory, Chapter 3, Art.103 )

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