Steps to Becoming a Sister of St. Joseph

Period of Inquiry
This is a time for us to become acquainted with one another. You will receive invitations to community gatherings such as liturgical celebrations, lectures and discussion, prayer days, retreats and social events.

As you consider membership, relationships with your sister companion, the Membership Team and the community are encouraged and supported. The length of this period lasts for as long as you and the Membership Team determine.

Period of Candidacy
You will spend one to two years living in community and continuing to discern whether or not religious life is your calling. While you continue to work at your place of employment, you will have an opportunity to live, pray and share life with sister members. You continue to meet with your companion and with the candidate program coordinator.

Period of Novitiate
After applying and interviewing for the novitiate program, you spend twelve to twenty-four months deepening personal and communal prayer as well as studying scripture, liturgy, the community's Constitution and vowed membership, and the social teachings of the Church. You also spend time working in some of our ministries. The novitiate period concludes with the first profession of vows.

Temporary Profession
This period begins with the first profession of vows. You continue your communal, spiritual and professional growth. Over a period of three to six years, you and the community continue to discern your calling to make a lifelong commitment as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Click here for some discernment questions to ask yourself.