Your Discernment Journey
Calling
When your "inner voice" calls you to something more, listen closely. Listen to your heart. When did you first notice this call?
Come and See
Visit us for a Hospitality Weekend for prayer, discussion and relaxation on the campus of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. As you visit, ask yourself, "Do I feel at home here?"
Discernment Weekends
If Nazareth Campus feels like home, an invitation will be extended to attend the Discernment Weekends.
Candidacy - (2 years)
The first year of Candidacy is the first step of formation. You continue to live your normal lifestyle. You continue with your education, or with your regular job. You still live in your own home. You are invited to come to Nazareth for four weekends a year. These weekends give you a chance to share with other candidates your experiences, meet the Sisters at Nazareth, pray together and deepen your spirituality as you continue to learn more about the SCN Community.
During the second year of Candidacy, you live at Nazareth. At this time, you have a chance to get to know the SCN Community on a daily basis. You come to know individual SCNs and strengthen your bond with the Community.
Novitiate (2 years)
The first year of the Novitiate is spent at Nazareth and is a time for you to study about the Community's mission, lifestyle and spirituality. Focus is also placed on prayer, scripture, theology, self-knowledge and discernment. During the second year, you have an opportunity to spend time in several ministry experiences, depending on your interest and your background. This is a great way to see the diverse opportunities available for ministry as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth.
Temporary Profession (3-6 years)
After completing two years of the Novitiate, if you and the Community still feel you are called to religious life, you would make first vows as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. You would participate fully in the life and mission of the Sisters of Charity. At this stage, a Sister professes vows for one or two years and renews vows up to six years, until she feels she is ready for a permanent commitment.
Final Profession
Once you feel you are ready to make a lifetime commitment to being a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, you would profess or make final vows. Your growth doesn't stop there, of course. We are committed to life-long learning and stretching.