“Our happiness, the glory of God and the good of others do not require that we be numerous but that we be filled with the SPIRIT OF Jesus Christ which is our vocation if it is a true one.” Mother Claudine Echernier.
The different stages of formation enable the Formees to imbibe the values essential to our identity as Sisters of the Cross. As a Congregation, focus is given for integral and personalised formation in order to be aware of the uniqueness of our call and to commit ourselves freely and joyfully to the person of Christ and to His people in love and service
Aspirancy: Once a young woman is accepted to begin preparation for life as a Sister of a Cross, she will spend a period, usually about a year, to know the congregation, to learn the Community language and basic catechism.
Pre-Novitiate: It’s two years of experience which permits the candidate to deepen her life of faith, to grow in freedom to answer the call of God. This enables the pre-novice and the Congregation to come to know each other.
The Novitiate: It lasts two years and marks the beginning of religious life. It is the intensive time of initial formation. During this period, the novice makes sure of her call to follow Christ. She is initiated to live the charism and spirituality of the Sisters of the Cross. Finally, she makes the vows of Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity.
Juniorate: The duration of the period of temporary vows is normally 6 years and in exceptional cases 9 years. She continues the personal spiritual experience, learns to integrate her life with full responsibility and obedience, and receives the confirmation of her call to be a Sister of the Cross.