Steps to Vowed Membership

The formation of a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart is the journey of a lifetime.

Age Requirement:

The Candidates must be of legal age (18 and over) to be accepted into Candidacy. Candidates in their 40s are evaluated on a case by case basis. Inquirers below age 18 are welcome to discern with us. Vowed membership is open to single, Catholic women (widowed or divorced with annulment) who want to grow closer in their relationship with God and are seeking a community of Consecrated Religious women who live the Gospel way of life. For more details regarding membership requirements, please contact
Sr. Nancy Roberta Schramm directly at 815-464-3848 or email vocations@fssh.net.

Inquiry Stage

The first step involves seeking information and help in the discernment process.
During this stage the inquirer and the community get to know one another.
If the inquirer feels our way of life may be where God is leading her, she may visit the Sisters for a "Come and See" experience.
A two- to three-day visit to the Motherhouse is scheduled and possibly a visit to a nearby convent.
Depending upon where the discerner lives, she may visit a convent near her home prior to the Motherhouse visit.

Pre-candidacy Stage

Once the inquirer decides to discern with our community, she reflects on our Franciscan form of life using the Franciscan Journey discernment program.
During this stage both the woman and the community mutually determine when the application process may begin.
This stage may last several months to a year, depending on the discerner's circumstances.

Candidacy Stage

This stage begins after the discerner has approval to join our community and the application process is completed. It ordinarily lasts one year, not to exceed two years.
With an appointed minister/companion, the candidate lives in the Candidate House with the Sisters sharing in prayer, community and ministry while discerning more deeply her call to live our way of life.

Novitiate

With mutual agreement between the candidate and the community, the woman requests reception into the Novitiate.
The woman officially becomes a member of the community and is called “Sister”.
This stage lasts two years with the novice companioned by the Novice Minister and the local community of the Novitiate House.
One year is the canonical or “Clare year,” a special time of discernment incorporating extended times for prayer and solitude.
The other year is the “Francis year” during which the woman participates in ministry as well as various courses of studies.
She prepares for the day when she will publicly proclaim her vows to God.

First Profession of Vows

After mutual discernment, the novice professes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and receives the congregational cross, the San Damiano crucifix.
The temporarily professed Sister engages in full-time ministry. She is accompanied by the Temporarily Professed Director as well as her local community.
She spends a minimum of three years nurturing her call as a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart. In the spirit of St. Francis and our founding Sisters, she continues to deepen her personal relationship with Jesus and to seek a more authentic response to the action of God in her life until she is ready to pronounce her final vows.
This is the final step of initial formation.

Final Profession of Vows

Final (Perpetual) Profession of Vows is the last step of the membership process.
The woman becomes a full-fledged member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Her lifetime commitment is symbolized by the gold ring received during the vow ceremony. The words engraved on the band, "My God and My All," become one with the heart of the perpetually professed religious.

Ongoing Formation

The formation story does not end with final vows; it is only the beginning of a lifelong process of growth in love.
As part of ongoing formation, each Sister is encouraged to develop annual goals as she continues her journey into the heart of God.

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart