The postulancy is a time of transition from the lay life to the religious life. Depending upon the individual and communal discernment, this stage can last anywhere from one month to one year.

• Joins in the prayer and community life of the Sisters
• Attends classes in prayer and basic Church doctrine
• Possibly continues her college education
• Continues to discern her call to religious life

Entering the Postulancy:

The entrance of the postulant is simple.  She wears the blue jumper with a white blouse. She begins her postulancy with a prayer of Consecration to Mary in union with the Sisters and any family members who have accompanied her to the convent.  She is not yet addressed as “Sister”.

The Novitiate consists of two years of intense preparation for the profession of vows.

• Studies and lives the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience
• Continues spiritual, theological, and philosophical formation
• Participates in the life of the community
• Receives formation in the life of virtue
• Deepens and intensifies her prayer life
• Gradually prepares for the union of the contemplative and apostolic dimensions of our life

Entering the Novitiate: 

The reception of the novice is private.  Before the Community she expresses her desire to enter this next phase of formation.  She receives several blessed objects: the white veil, her copy of the Constitutions to study, a small Rosary of the Seven Dolors made by one of the Sisters, a medal of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and her new Religious name.

The Sister will renew her vows annually for at least three years.

• Lives the vowed life of a Religious Sister
• Continues formal education or begins active participation in the apostolate
• Participates in the life of the community
• Continues spiritual and doctrinal formation

First Profession of Vows:

First Profession takes place during a Mass attended by all the Sisters and the family and friends of the community.  Prior to the Profession Mass, in a private ceremony, the Sister expresses her desire to profess the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience as a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She then receives the habit, profession crucifix, cincture, and a large Rosary of the Seven Dolors to wear on her cincture. 

During the Mass, the Sister is questioned by the celebrant as to her resolve to enter the vowed life of a Sister.  She professes her vows in the hands of the General Superior.  The newly professed Sister receives the three remaining parts of the IHM habit: the religious scapular, the badge of the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of the Blessed Virgin, and the black veil. After being clothed in these articles, the ceremony of the religious profession concludes with the Community singing Totus Tuus, a song of consecration that states: “I am all yours and all I have is yours, my Queen, my Mother.”

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• Makes a total commitment to Our Lord through the perpetual profession of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience
• Seeks continually after the will of God and strives for holiness
• Receives and participates in on-going formation throughout her life

Perpetual Profession of Vows:

After a minimum of three years of temporary vows, a Sister may request to profess perpetual vows.  During this Mass, the Sister is questioned as to her resolve to make a permanent commitment to vowed life in this Institute.  Everyone at the Mass prays the Litany of the Saints for her.  She professes perpetual vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in the hands of the General Superior.  Those vows are written out and placed on the altar where the Sister signs them, joining the sacrifice of her life offered to the Father with Christ’s perfect Sacrifice of the Mass.  Those vows are then placed under the corporal for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  She receives her white gold wedding band worn on the ring finger of the right hand.  The profession rite ends with the solemn consecration from the Bishop.