The Process

As we welcome women to Ursuline life, we offer them opportunities to experience Ursuline life and to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. A woman would journey through several distinct steps as she grows in her understanding of God’s call for her.

These steps are:

Affiliacy

Affiliacy is that phase of our welcoming process in which a Catholic woman, 18 years of age or older, indicates an interest in our Ursuline life and enters into a period of regular contact with the Ursulines in order to consider more seriously her vocational choice.

Candidacy

A candidate has an opportunity to come to know Ursuline Life in a deeper way. Living in community, the woman participates in our life of prayer and ministry. This time, lasting from six months to two years, is a time to become better acquainted with the spirit of St. Angela and of the Order. If the ongoing discernment of the candidate and the community shows that God is calling her to Ursuline life, the woman may ask for admission to the Novitiate. Currently the candidate community is in San Antonio, Texas.

Novitiate

Novitiate is that phase of our process in which a woman prepares to take vows as an Ursuline sister. During this two-year process, a novice examines her call to religious life in an atmosphere of prayer. This period of time is to re-orient one’s life to center on Jesus as the focal point. Solitude and silence, as well as healthy community living, are essential conditions for developing her relationship with Jesus and her ability to reach out to others. The second year of novitiate normally includes various ministry experiences with important reflection on those experiences. Following her ongoing discernment process, a novice may request to make her temporary vows. A novitiate for the four provinces of Roman Union Ursulines of the USA is located in Evanston, IL.

Temporary Profession

During the period of temporary profession, a sister begins her vowed life as an Ursuline. The focus of this process is a continued response to the grace of God, and integration of the various aspects of her life. Temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience will be made first for three years and then renewed for two years. The Sister continues her discernment process to determine if God is calling her to a permanent

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