Postulancy

The postulancy year begins with entrance into our Monastery.

The postulant enters fully into the rhythm of our life. She learns the customs and spirit of the Community while participating in prayer, work, silence, recreation, and Eucharistic Adoration.

This first year provides a foundation for discernment and growth. It is a time of listening attentively to the Lord's voice and allowing Him to shape the heart according to His will.

Like Our Lady, who treasured the Word of God in her heart, the postulant begins learning the hidden beauty of a life centered entirely on Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Novitiate

Following the first year of formation, the postulant enters the novitiate through the Rite of Investment.

At this joyful ceremony she receives the holy habit and a new name in religious life, outward signs of an inward desire to belong more completely to Our Lord. Clothed in the habit of Saint Clare and Saint Francis, she begins a more intensive period of formation and prayer.

The two-year novitiate is a privileged time devoted to Sacred Scripture, the Rule of Saint Clare, Franciscan spirituality, the teachings of the Church, and the Constitutions of our Order.

Above all, the novice grows in love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, for: "Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the heart of our Community and of our lives as adorers." (PCPA Constitutions)

The novice learns that our contemplative Eucharistic life is a participation in the Church's vocation of praise, thanksgiving, and love.

First Profession

At the conclusion of the novitiate, the novice is admitted to First Profession.

Professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, she publicly consecrates herself to God and becomes a member of the Order of Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration.

The Constitutions describe this moment beautifully: "Our personal covenant of love, initiated at our Baptism, is intensified by our religious profession which totally sets us apart for God." (PCPA Constitutions)

Through temporary profession, the Sister enters more deeply into the gift of consecrated life while continuing her formation within the Community.

Juniorate

The five years following First Profession are known as the juniorate.

During this period the Sister continues her formation while living the full contemplative life as a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration. Through daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, work, study, and Community life, she grows in fidelity to the vocation she has embraced.

As a junior professed Sister, she renews her temporary vows each year, strengthening her commitment to Our Lord Jesus Christ and preparing her heart for the definitive gift of herself in Solemn Profession. These years allow both the Sister and the Community to confirm God's call before this lifelong commitment.

As she matures in her vocation, she learns that her hidden life of prayer and sacrifice is offered for the Church and for the salvation of souls.

Solemn Profession

Forever His

After a total of 9 years of discernment, formation, and temporary profession, the Sister is admitted to Solemn Profession.

Before God and His Church, she professes solemn vows and is definitively incorporated into the Order.

The Church describes consecrated life as a total dedication to God. Our Constitutions express this mystery in profoundly beautiful language: "God our Father, through a precious gift of the Holy Spirit given in the Church, has espoused us to His Only Begotten Son." (PCPA Constitutions)

And again: "We are His spouses when we are joined to Him by the Spirit." (PCPA Constitutions)

As a bride belongs to her bridegroom, so the solemnly professed Sister belongs entirely to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hidden with Him in God, she dedicates the whole of her life to prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, Reparative Thanksgiving, and intercession for the Church and the world.

Her years of formation now blossom into a lifelong vocation seeking the Face of God and standing before Him on behalf of all humanity.