Take the Next Step

As a single Catholic woman, you might offer:

	your spirituality
	fresh ideas and energy
	a wealth of life experiences
	particular gifts of ministry
	a specialized profession or work-related skill
	compatibility, collaboration, companionship

Considering a Vocation? "Lisa" is a 35 year-old single Catholic woman who's curious about the life of Benedictine sisters. Follow Lisa's journey of discernment.

Listen carefully. with the ear of your heart. ~ Saint Benedict

If Benedictine spirituality interests you as it applies to your current lifestyle, you might be interested in our Benedictine Lay Associates Program. If you want to experience the monastic life as a Benedictine sister, you may proceed at your own pace, prayerfully and reflectively through the discernment process:

1. Initial Discernment

This is a time of inquiry, usually 6 months to 2 years, when a single, Catholic woman continues to live and work in her own community while she:

	has extended contact with the sisters through frequent and/or extended visits
	experiences the rhythm of the Benedictine community life of prayer, work, and leisure
	receives personal direction in the initial discernment process

During this time, if a woman truly feels called to journey further with this community, she makes a formal application to become a candidate.

2. Prenovitiate

Once she is accepted as a candidate, a woman is incorporated into community life at the monastery. This is a time to "check out" her desire and her call. During this period of time, which varies depending on each woman's needs, the candidate:

	lives with the sisters at the monastery
	enters into a formal, individualized time of prayer, study and discernment, under the guidance of a director
	maintains her own employment and financial independence

At the end of this period of time, the candidate, in conversation with the vocation director, makes her decision to continue on to the next step in the process of discernment, known as the novitiate.

3. Novitiate

A novice puts aside outside employment for approximately one year in order to live and work within the community. During this time, her daily living needs are provided for by the community while she:

	enters more deeply into self-knowledge and understanding of monastic life
	begins, under the guidance of a director, more intense study of the Rule, Scripture, monastic profession, practices, and the community charism
	continues to experience the balance of prayer, work, and leisure within community life

4. Temporary Profession

If, at the end of the novitiate period, a woman truly feels called to life in this community, she next makes her first or temporary profession to monastic life. During approximately 3 years of temporary profession, a newly professed sister continues her personal and spiritual growth, as she:

	begins to live a fuller expression of monastic community
	strives to incorporate Benedictine values into the daily rhythm of her life and ministry
	prepares to make her final profession

5. Final Profession