Once a woman has been accepted, she is invited to become a postulant with the community and live in the Formation House. This stage of formation lasts for about one year (but could be extended to two), and allows for a time of transition from lay life to the consecrated life lived in community. During this time, a postulant becomes acquainted with all the aspects of our way of life and gradually adjusts to our schedule.
Postulancy is a time for discernment of her vocation, and the classes that she takes during this stage are designed to help her with that process. Among other topics, she studies scripture, prayer, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the life of St. Francis. She also contributes to our life through helping with the household tasks and participating in our ministries.
"Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves so that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally."
-ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
She wears a simple, white blouse and a black skirt. As our Franciscan Third Order Rule states, “Led by the Lord, let them begin a life of penance, conscious that all of us must be continuously and totally converted to the Lord. As a sign of their conversion and consecration to gospel life, they are to clothe themselves plainly and to live in simplicity” (TOR Rule 6).
She is also given a Tau Cross to wear, indicating her desire to embrace conversion as a way of life. The cord on which it hangs around her neck is tied with three knots which symbolize her desire to eventually live the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. The goal of this period of formation is to prepare the woman for entrance into novitiate.
