The seed is planted . . . 

THE CALL

The grace of a vocation begins with God’s mysterious and free choice of a person. It is God who puts into the human heart the thought and desire to become a nun, a woman totally consecrated to Him. You did not choose me, no, I chose you (Jn 15:16).

Becoming rooted . . .

THE ASPIRANCY

When a woman responds to the grace of her call by inquiring into a specific form of religious life, in a specific place, she enters into a period called the aspirancy. This is the first stage of discerning the genuineness of the call, through an initial contact and follow-up visits to the monastery.

The Flowering of Virtue . . .

FORMATION

When a woman actually enters the monastery, she begins a long period of discernment within the community. It is a time of mutual testing, of learning how to live the religious life in community, and of deepening one’s relationship with God. It also involves growing in knowledge of self, of coming to terms with the need for daily conversion, if one is to serve the Lord well. One becomes a postulant, then a novice, then makes temporary profession, then solemn profession. The desire to give oneself completely to God is now sealed, and this self-offering is witnessed and blessed by the Church.

BEARING A HIDDEN FRUITFULNESS . . .

FOR LIFE

Solemn profession may signal the end of the discernment period, but it does not mean an end to one’s spiritual growth! The grace of the vocation is still there, every day, day in and day out. From the continual response of the heart, the “yes” to this grace, comes much fruit. As cloistered nuns we may not see this with our eyes, but we believe that God, having called us to this way of life, will cause it to bloom in the salvation of souls. And I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last (Jn 15:16).

And so the “yes” of the heart becomes a constant way of life, a constant striving for holiness and union with God. Even if a nun should become infirm, or become too elderly to do the ordinary work of the house, she still bears fruit through her union with her Spouse, Christ crucified.