✦ COME & SEE WEEKEND • 13–15 JUNE 2025 • YOUNG WOMEN 18–35
Stages of Formation
A personal journey of freedom, prayer and a deepening “yes”.
Growing into your vocation
The following stages are for those interested in becoming religious sisters or brothers with the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham. All the years up to Permanent Profession remain a time of discernment, of verifying God’s call to life in this community.
For those wishing to discern membership of the Lay Branch, please use the button below.
Candidacy
Aspirancy followed by Postulancy.
Initial formation
Novitiate, First Vows and Juniorate, leading towards Permanent Profession.
Ongoing formation
A lifelong journey of growth and response to God.
Come and See
Before formally commencing the journey of discernment with the community we invite those who are interested to come and spend a few days with us, getting a sense of the way in which the community lives out religious life. This can be done individually or as part of our organised ‘Come and See’ weekends. You may also wish to attend one of our retreats first.
One may also find journeying with our Lay Branch in their formation process of help in clarifying a calling. Email laybranch@walsinghamcommunity.org for further information.
Candidacy: Aspirancy
After the initial inquiry stage, candidacy is a time of gradually getting to know the community. Over a period of at least one to two years, candidates are in regular contact with the COLW, with a member of the community to accompany them in this process.
They visit the community on a regular basis. If, after several visits, they decide to join the community the men and women start an application process which includes an extended ‘live-in’ aspirancy of two to three months during which the preadmission formation continues.
Candidacy: Postulancy
From the latin ‘postulare,’ meaning ‘to question,’ this is a time of deeper questioning. Postulants live with the community wearing a simple uniform, a blue skirt and white or blue shirt to mark a new beginning to their journey of formation.
One of the main aims of this period is to help the candidate develop a discerning heart, so as to make decisions according to the Spirit and to test their vocation. With this in view emphasis is given to human formation issues and growth in understanding of the Catholic faith. Postulancy usually lasts for 6 to 12 months.
Novitiate
Here the discernee enters into the religious community, marked by the reception of the habit (without a hood) and the community medal. This is a time of deeper study related to the vows and religious life and with more space for prayer and silence. Every novice will be formed in the charism of the Community, its spirituality, prayer life, the study of Scripture, liturgy, the history of the Carmelite tradition, the theology of religious life and relevant ecclesiastical history.
Novitiate lasts from 1 – 2 years depending on the individual and the length of their postulancy.
First Vows
This joyous occasion marks the end of novitiate and the beginning of juniorate. At a Mass to which close family and friends are invited the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are made according to our particular vow formula. A new scapular is received with a hood and the title ‘Sister’ or ‘Brother’ is taken on which marks this deeper living of religious life.
Juniorate
Taking into account the needs of the Community, the talents of the individual and the common good, members are encouraged to acquire professional and creative skills with which they will be able to nurture and sustain their personal vocation and that of the COLW. Specialised training is offered to members of COLW whose ministry requires it. Friendship with mature religious around the diocese has proven such an encouragement to be faithful to the vows taken.
Vows are renewed annually for 3 to 6 years during which time it is discerned if one ought to take final vows which forms that permanent commitment, or if the Lord is calling them elsewhere.
Final Vows
Six months before the taking of permanent vows, members re-enter a house of formation to prepare sufficiently for this important step. Final Vows or permanent profession is the stage at which one commits themselves to God and the community forever. These vows are made publicly as a witness to the deeper eschatological reality to which we are all called where in eternity we shall all be wedded to Christ.
Ongoing Formation
After the taking of final vows, formation must follow the dynamic of the vocation itself, the grace of which increases and invites an ever deeper response. It is a question of configuration to Christ, being of the same mind as him, a work that is never finished. Formation will, in the living of our lives, stimulate and nourish the movement of conversion begun in the novitiate.
Spiritual wisdom, nourished by prayer, continues to deepen through life. The community offers opportunities for members to grow in faithfulness to their calling; everyone contributes by living their vocation with joy and gratitude.
A conversation is a good place to begin
accompaniment@walsinghamcommunity.org
We would be glad to welcome you.
Come and discover our life of prayer, community and service. Please get in touch to find out more.
Community of Our Lady
of Walsingham