Becoming a Sister
Entrance into the Religious Life is a gradual process of mutual discernment between the individual and the community, study and formation and “on-job-training.” For the Community of St. Francis, a vocation to the life means a call:
- to live in community with Sisters and Brothers
- to participate regularly in corporate worship and to make a commitment to a personal prayer life
- to carry out ministry in the wider community, especially with the poor, the sick and the marginalized.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP:
- normally be an Episcopalian/Anglican in communion with the See of Canterbury
- be of sufficiently sound health—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
- be free of legal, financial and family obligations
- have a deep desire to know and serve God more deeply
- have the generosity, sensitivity, patience, flexibility and willingness to share life in community with others.
PROCESS FOR DISCERNING VOCATION
- Contact the Novice Guardian CSF, St. Francis
House, 3743 Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco CA 94110
- Complete
the Inquirer’s Questionnaire
- Arrange
at least one Inquirer’s visit to St. Francis House
- Submit
an application for membership with references
- Undergo
a background check, physical and psychological tests
- Make
an Aspirant’s longer visit (if possible)
- Postulancy: (at
least 3 months) a time of living with the community
- Novitiate: (3 years) a time of education and trying
out the life (after receiving the habit)
- First
Profession: a time of more specialized education and
training and further incorporation into the life of the community
- Life
Profession: full membership in the
Community
In addition to individual visits, as an Inquirer (a person in the initial stages of discerning vocation), you may be interested in Consider Your Call – a week for several women to come and see what our life is like.