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"The
profession of religiuos vows is an act of the virtue
of religion and puts one into the convenant relationship
with God".
Formation
in the Dominican tradition is a lifelong process.
In this process God, the primary teacher, uses mediators
such as the religious superiors as guides for us.
Religious are themselves principally responsible for
their own formation by actively cooperating with divine
grace and with the opportunities offered them.
A
woman's initial incorporation into the Congregation
includes at least two years of the postulancy,
two years of the novitiate,
and at least five years of temporary
profession. With the candidate's entrance into the
postulancy, the ongoing formation process begins and
continues throughout her life. The individual's formation
acts as a guide in attaining maturity of mind, intellect,
and soul- essential elements for the Dominican life.
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POSTULANCY:
I n July of each year, young women interested
in the Dominican life gather for a month of prayer,
study, and communal life as part of the "Come
and See" program. To enroll, the candidate
must be at lest 17 years of age with the desire
to journey in the religious vocation.
The formation of the postulant places special
emphasis on personal and spiritual maturity in
the discernment of her life vocation. This period
lasts a minimum of two years. In order to continue
in the program, the candidate must exemplify a
spirit of prayer, intellectual maturity, educational
potential, apostolic vitality, and the ability
to live within a religious community.
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NOVITIATE:
The
formation of the novice is directed towards:
- Guiding
of the candidate in the discernment and confirmation
of her religious vocation,
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Directing the candidate to live in the spirit
of the Evangelical Counsels and the demands
of the consecrated life, and
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Leading the novice to embody the Dominican charism.
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TEMPORARY
PROFESSION:
The
novitiate period concludes with the novice's profession
of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The
period of temporary vows is directed toward:
- Living
in fidelity of one's religious vocation to Christ
and to the Church in preparation for living
with perpetual (final) vows,
- Journeying
deeper into Dominican spirituality, and
- Serving
in a variety of ministries
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the end of the formal formation process, eligible
candidates publicly profess their Perpetual vows
in consecrating their entire lives to the service
of God's Kingdom in sharing with the joys and sorrows
of humanity and actively participating in the life
of the Church. |
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Vietnamese
Dominican Sisters
5250
Gasmer Dr.
Houston, TX 77035
(713) 723-8250, Fax (713) 723-8229
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