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PROFESSED SISTERS
During the time of temporary profession (3-6 years), the Sister may
engage in religious, apostolic, and professional studies and
activities. She is helped to develop greater maturity and to broaden
her understanding of the religious vocation. The temporary professed
Sister begins a serious preparation for Perpetual Vows in prayer and
retreat about four to six weeks prior to Profession Day.
After completing the period of initial formation, each Sister by
prayer, study and reading continues to discharge her lifelong
obligation to advance in holiness, learning, and professional
competency.
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POSTULANTS
The postulancy is normally a six to ten month period depending
on the candidate. The postulant studies religious/spiritual life
in general, including the Essential Elements of Religious Life,
the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Constitution of
the community. No secular studies are taken, and no studies,
including religious ones, are taken for credit. She lives the
SJW life under the direction of the Postulant Directress.
NOVICES
The two-year novitiate begins with the canonical year, which is
devoted to a deepening of prayer and spiritual instruction.
Second year novices may engage in apostolic activities, but may
not be responsible for full time apostolic positions.
Novices study the vows in detail, Holy Scripture,
religious/spiritual life, Church History, and the spirituality
of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker. As in the postulancy,
no secular studies are taken. Under the direction of the Novice
Directress, the novice is gradually guided in the development of
an intimate union with Christ from Whom all her apostolic
activity flows, and is helped to grow in a warm fraternal
charity with her Sisters. At the completion of her novitiate,
the novice binds herself to God by the profession of temporary
vows in the congregation.
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HABIT
Our religious habit
publicly identifies us as women consecrated to God and enables us to
more easily live evangelical poverty. The black color of the habit
is a reminder that we are to daily die to self in order to live for
Christ.
Professed Sisters
wear a uniform black habit, with a half scapular, a crucifix on a
chain, a black veil with a white turn-back around the face.
Sister-nurses wear a white habit of the same pattern.
Novices wear the
same black habit; however the scapular and veil are blue (in honor
of our Blessed Mother, the Model of all religious) and no crucifix
is worn. The crucifix – an exterior sign of our devotion to our
Crucified Lord – is blessed and put on the newly professed during
the First Profession Mass.
Postulants wear a
full black uniform skirt, plain long-sleeve blouse.
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