STAGES OF FORMATION

Aspirantate

The Aspirantate could be described as
a strong experience of Christian living.

The young girl will deepen
her understanding of her
Baptismal consecration,
in which the religious consecration is rooted.

She will be initiated into community
and apostolic life
in the spirit of the Institute
and will endeavour to reach
the degree of maturity necessary
for her to make
her choice of vocation
freely and responsibly. C86


Postulancy

The postulancy
is the time
of immediate preparation for the novitiate.

During this period the candidate will endeavour
to deepen her understanding of God's call
and gradually and calmly accustom herself
to make the detachments spoken of
in the Gospel,
which are indispensable for
a true personal meeting with Christ
and a more generous dedication to others.

The work of formation will be intensified
by a deeper experience of prayer,
community life and the apostolate;
by a more accurate doctrinal preparation
and a progressive assimilation
of the spirit of Don Bosco
and of Mother Mazzarello. C88

Novitiate

The novitiate is the period of real initiation
into the religious life.

Through reflection on the Word of God,
diligent study and assimilation
of the Constitutions,
daily effort in self-discipline,
and the integration of work and prayer,
the novice will understand ever better
the demands of the following of Christ
in our Salesian vocation.

Through participation in community life
and suitable apostolic experience
she will become aware of the sense of mission.

She will endeavour gradually
to assume the identity
of the Daughter of Mary Help of Christians
and strengthen her sense of
belonging to the Institute,
in the joy of self-giving to God
for the salvation of young people. C90