Vocation FAQs
WHO CAN BECOME A SISTER OF BON SECOURS?
You may think, “I’m not good enough or holy enough.” Relax!
Many feel that way when first thinking about religious life. God calls all kinds of people.
Characteristics that fit a person considering becoming a nun:
WHAT IS A VOCATION?
We all have a vocation, a calling, in life whether it is to marry, stay single, or become a vowed religious or priest. Each is called personally. We are also called to holiness and to be of service to others. Our first vocation is to be our truest selves and to be happy. As we grow in faith, we come to understand our call in life, usually by God nudging us. My vocation in life may be different from my friend’s.
WHAT DOES DISCERNMENT MEAN?
Discernment is a spiritual process in which we try to decide who God is “calling” us to be and what we are being asked to do in specific instances now and in the future.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A SISTER?
Inquiry/Pre-Candidate
The first step is to become acquainted with us and decide to explore your call. It is a time to determine your call. This stage can last between six months to two years. A sister prayer partner prays for you, as you do for her. You may be matched with a companion sister at this stage depending on the direction of your discernment, and she will introduce you to various aspects of religious life and to the local community. If your call is affirmed, and you feel drawn to Bon Secours and our charism, you would ask to become a pre-candidate.
Candidate
Once you are accepted and enter, you live in a community of sisters. You fully participate and experience our life, spirituality, traditions, mission, values, community events, and ministry. This stage in the steps to becoming a nun lasts between six months and two years. A candidate director guides you in continuing to discerning your call to religious life and Bon Secours.
Novice
Time is set aside from ministry for you to more deeply discern your call to religious life and to the Bon Secours community. You study our charism, history, constitutions, spirituality, theology, the vows, our way of life, and grow in self-knowledge. The Novitiate is two years. The second year is for integration while in full time ministry and living in community. Towards the end of this stage you prepare for temporary profession.
Temporary Profession
This is a time to fully integrate a life of ministry related to prayer, the vows, and community life. This phase lasts three to six years. Time is given for continued reflection, personal development, and meeting with a mentor. This period ends by making final vows.
WHAT IS REQUIRED IF I CHOOSE TO EXPLORE MORE WITH THE SISTERS OF BON SECOURS?
The discernment process requires active participation as well as personal freedom and openness. Prayer and dialogue are essential too. You would:
DO YOU WISH TO JOIN WITH OTHERS WHO ARE SEEKING TO KNOW IF RELIGIOUS LIFE IS FOR THEM?
If you find yourself thinking about ways to deepen your personal relationship with God and wish you could combine your faith and work in a balanced fruitful life, you owe it to yourself to attend one of our Come and See Vocation Weekends to explore religious life.
I’m WAY too busy to take time to “reflect”…
As a college student or professional in the work force today, a single Catholic woman faces many demands on a daily basis. With little time to spare, it is difficult to find time for yourself. Time to reflect on how you are feeling about your life right now and how it fits in with your faith and your long term objectives
…but you deserve a break!
Knowing the challenges of a busy schedule, the Sisters of Bon Secours have created a weekend for you where you can slip back from your daily life and listen to your inner self and what God might be calling you to. To begin to explore the meaning and purpose of your life and of religious life- what it is and how it is lived…what it affords in good works and what it affords in friendships and support on life’s journey.
…and a chance to talk to those who have been in your shoes
Several of the vowed Sisters of Bon Secours will join you in discussions and one-on-one meetings. Those currently in formation to become sisters will answer your questions. Everyone attending the weekend will come together at Mass and at meals. All of this plus some very important quiet time for you and some fun leisure time with others who have come to learn more.
Other women found the courage to explore…
“I am so very happy having met you this past weekend. It is hard for me to put into words the feelings I have experienced since attending the retreat. You and the other Sisters of Bon Secours provided a safe and warm environment for me to explore the possibilities of becoming a religious nun. The time away from home and work allowed me to really think about nothing else except that. I miss that. The distractions of home and work are starting to overshadow the weekend and I don’t want that to happen.” – Erin
“The entire weekend was excellent. There was lots of helpful, interesting, relevant information that was appreciated. I loved touring actual ministries. It was extremely helpful to meet sisters in various stages of the process of becoming a vowed sisters; sharing their experiences was great.” – Ann
So can you!
What would it take for you to click on this link to the registration web page to inquire about such a weekend, or to ask for more information, or to talk with someone about religious life? Will you allow yourself the time to check out religious life? Could one call make all the difference in your life? The saying, “A journey begins with a single step,” is wisdom.
A weekend of fellowship, prayer and shared understanding which will leave you refreshed and equipped to seek a deeper sense of God’s Call in your life.
For more information, e-mail our Vocation Director.
