The Candidacy stage is for women who desire to become a Sister of Divine Mercy.  During this time period, the candidate has regular contact with the Sisters. The candidate is encouraged to live a strong prayerful and sacramental life. She is gradually introduced into the life of the community and prepares spiritually and materially to enter the Postulancy stage.

     After a simple entrance ceremony,  the postulant begins a new life with her religious family.  The new sister receives the Divine Mercy Medallion and replaces her old garments with the garments of new life; a black skirt, white blouse, and black vest. It is a period of preliminary training. The new sister attends all community prayers, and she is introduced gradually to the life and vocation of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. The postulancy lasts one year.

Novitiate:
     The novitiate lasts two years. At the end of the postulancy, the sister receives the community habit with a white veil, and her religious name.  As a novice, she enters into the “classroom of silence” with the Lord and is more fully integrated into the life and charism of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. She studies Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Church documents, especially those related to The Divine Mercy and religious life. She learns to work with others and integrates prayer with apostolic action.  
     Devotion to Mary, the Mother of Mercy and our Mother, is cultivated, as well as a strong fidelity to the teachings of the Church. At the end of her novitiate, the sister makes the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for three years.

The religious profession
is a special consecration rooted in baptism,
through which God fashions the sisters in the image of His Son, The Divine Mercy. Through continuous conversion of heart and ever deepening fidelity to the obligations undertaken on the day of their profession, the sisters cooperate with grace
so that love and the image of The Divine Mercy may grow within them.

     Responding to the gifts of the call to religious life, the sister through the public vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience totally dedicates herself to God, the beloved of her heart, for his greater glory and the salvation of souls.
     After making her First Profession the sister receives the community’s crucifix and exchanges her white veil for a black one, symbolic of conversion, penance, and consecration to God. During the period of temporary profession, the sister continues her formation while she engages in other studies, professional training, or apostolic activities. These are part of her formation and shall be integrated with her advancement in spirituality.
     After three years, the sister renews her vows for another two years, for a total of five years under temporary vows. During this time, she prepares herself for a mature decision of offering herself completely to God through perpetual profession, as well as for responsible participation in the mission of the community.

     After five years of temporary profession, the sister makes her profession of perpetual vows. The year prior to her profession of perpetual vows is an intensive and prayerful preparation.
     By her perpetual profession, the sister unites herself in a special way to Christ, obliging her and enabling her to dedicate her life totally to the good of the Church by helping build up the Kingdom of God, saving souls and proclaiming God’s infinite love and mercy to all mankind.
     Consecrated life is a process of growth towards greater spiritual maturity, more intense love of God, and more generous service to God’s people. Formation continues throughout a Sister’s entire life. It is a lifelong task. Therefore, the religious formation does not end with perpetual profession but continues until the encounter with her Beloved in His Glorious Kingdom.

  

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"Follow Me"

 is a conscious and free decision confirmed by the storm of life.

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