Religious Formation Stages

Come and See

It’s the program conducted for women, who wish to join the congregation. They are given an introduction to SSpS way of life, after which they are welcome to ‘Come and stay’ or ‘Come and go’.

We take those girls who are willing to join us in our way of life; and allow them to experience by being with us in our community in India. It’s also known as initial formation; Girls who have passed 10th, +2 and above can join us of their own willingness. During this period a sister is appointed to take care of them and they learn English which is one of the common languages for SSpS also they learn to live in the Community. At the end of the 10 Months, they make the decision and write an application to the concerned Provincial expressing their view of continuing us.

Main Focus

They are trained in English language skills, talent development, and grow in Catholic faith and trust in God

Now the Aspirants who are selected enter another stage of formation which is Pre-Novitiate, which is held in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. During this year they prepare themselves to enter into Novitiate. They learn about our way of life and live the Spirituality. During this time of formation, they learn to pray the congregational prayers and learn about the lifestyle of our congregation. From this time on they silently start to reflect, and have regular confessions and recollections which help them to grow spiritually. They get very many opportunities to manage themselves all the way. They have a conducive house and learn to handle the finance and kitchen. Participate in the education ministry, Visit the sick, and pray for them. Through various classes and inputs, they grow in knowledge & self-awareness.

The pre-novices after the discernment retreat enter into a Important phase of Religious life that is Novitiate. It is for two years;

1. The first year is called as Canonical year here they spent a lot of time in prayer, reflection and meditation.
2. The second year is called as Apostolic year, now they have experiences in the mission being in our communities and in the locality.

These two Years of intensive preparation is very important; where the Novices prepare themselves to surrender to of God in our Congregation. Ther are given a continuous Spiritual guidance like recollection, confession, silence and prayer. They learn the constitution, reflect on the life of our founding generation, take classes for their peers in order to develop their self confidence and have classes from distinguished people and increase their knowledge. At the end of the second year they attend 15 days retreat and discern and confirm their call to religious life, and on 3rd May they profess their vows.

On 15th May, 2016 on the day of Pentecost, 13 of our pre-novices entered into First year novitiate in a simple ceremony during the Morning Prayer. They are from 4 states. They live in a atmosphere of prayer and reflection, novitiate is held in the community where they get chances to relate with sisters and come to know about the mission and pray more earnestly.

The Story Continues

6th February 1933 marked the arrival of the first SSpS to India with the mission of spreading love, compassion, peace and joy to all. Under the shadow of the world war II,despite the restrictions and drawbacks, the foundation laid by the hard work of the missionaries in the years prior to the World War II, and their indomitable missionary spirit moved them forward to set free the downtrodden, heal the sick, pastor the lost, to animate those in the periphery, to educate the illiterate, and to communicate the gospel values to people of good will.