Drawing on the wisdom of formators throughout the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, other religious communities, and formation professionals, this handbook provides suggestions for a comprehensive initial formation program. Handbook for Initial Formation for Sisters Best Practices within the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph CSSJ Handbook for Initial formation Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………….2 Preface……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………......4 Philosophy of Incorporation…………………………………………………………………………….……………………………....5 Confidentiality………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………...6 Formation Personnel……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………….…10 Vocation Discernment………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………....15 Candidacy…………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………….…………..….20 Novitiate …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….…...28 Initial Profession ………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……….………….….41 Emerging Trends, Best Practices, and Resources…………………………………………………………………………….…46 A Space for Transformation: Guiding Principles for Communities Welcoming New Members by Colleen Gibson, SSJ……………………………………………………………………………………..…………………...46 What Does Intergenerational-designed Housing Look Like?.....................................................52 Graces Given: A Reflection on the Importance of Immersive Experiences in Initial Formation by Colleen Gibson, SSJ…………………………………………………………………………………..…………………...….56 Graced Whole-making and the Evolution of Social Justice by Susan Wilson, CSJ……………….…...61 The Voice of Younger Women: A Summary of the Survey of Newer Members on Creating Welcoming Communities …………………………………………………………………………………………………..….64 Summary of Survey Data from Women of Differing Ethnicities from the Dominant Culture of Their Congregation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………70 Encountering Difference: Creating Unity: Accompanying Younger Seekers in Vocation Ministry by Celeste Mokrzycki, SSJ and Mary Rowell, CSJ ……………………………………………………………..…....86 Appendices: Appendix 1 Core Curriculum …………………………………………………………………………..…………………….….…91 Appendix 2 Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: A Concept for Religious Formation ..….…………...95 Appendix 3 Identity Values ……………………………………………………………………………………………….………..99 Appendix 4 Core Values ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….103 Appendix 5 Sample Forms and Rituals ………………………………………………………………………………….…....108 • Applications o Checklist o Medical Health Form o Dental Form o Mental Health Form o Psychological Form o Letters of Recommendation o Membership Application Form • Assessments o Vocation Summary Assessment 2 o Candidate Evaluation Forms o Sample Template for Evaluation o Novice Self Evaluation o Evaluation by Director • Rituals and Forms o Candidate Welcoming Celebrations o Act of Reception o Declaration Concerning Remuneration o Template for Ritual of Initial Profession o Template for Ritual of Perpetual Profession Appendix 6 Sexual Abuse Guidelines………………………………………………………………………………………….154 Appendix 7 State of the Heart and Order of the House ……………………………………………………………..155 Appendix 8 Separation Guidelines …………………………………………………………………………………………….162 3 Preface Formation is a lifelong process that sustains each of us as we are called to engage with our charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph as vowed religious women. Lifelong formation is an approach that incorporates development and education from initial vocation work to helping sisters, associates, and agrégées age well. This document is focused on initial formation for vowed life. The initial formation process needs to be relevant, cohesive and integrated so that it leads to personal growth and progressively responsive actions throughout our lives. This handbook provides a unified vision of the process of initial formation for the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. It is meant to support congregations and offer them useful guidelines for incorporation of new members into their life and mission. These are best practice standards gleaned from the tested practices of several congregations and carefully considered by the Lifelong Formation Committee. Each congregation is encouraged to review, assess, and adapt these standards at their discretion according to their unique circumstances. Another document produced by the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, “Readiness Indicators for Initial Formation (RIFF),” is a helpful companion piece for this handbook. It provides goals and behavioral indicators for each stage of formation. This handbook enhances the formation experience by a mutual understanding of the expectations and observable progress required for each period of formation. It supports formation directors with a structure that provides direction for the process of initial formation with an emphasis on charism and spirituality specific to the Sisters of Saint Joseph. 4 Philosophy of Incorporation into Consecrated Religious Life Religious formation is a lifelong developmental process of ongoing personal growth and integration of a call to intimacy with God lived in community. This experience of inner transformation is the fruit of a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ whom the sister desires to meet in those she serves in ministry and those with whom she shares her life in community. Through contemplation the sister opens herself to the mystery of the Trinity and strives to emulate their virtues. Initial formation begins with a woman's entrance into candidacy and concludes with her profession of final commitment. Sisters on the formation team journey with the women who come to the congregation in order to assist and encourage them in developing the values of the consecrated life including but not limited to inclusivity, zeal and generosity, humility, prayer, reflection, lifelong conversion, and joy. We believe that no formation program can develop and sustain its new members apart from the real challenges, strengths, and difficulties of our life together. In this light, we strive to deepen our relationship with God and one another while continually discerning the changing needs of the people of God so as to be a vital presence to those whom and with whom we serve in ministry. We are women who recognize religious life as primarily the gift of God and who are convinced of the contribution of religious life in the Church and world of today and tomorrow. Therefore, with the grace of God and the action of the Spirit, we seek to welcome new members and sustain their ongoing commitment. The formation process of the Sisters of Saint Joseph assists the woman to: • grow in holistic personal development (emotional, intellectual, physical, psychological, spiritual, theological) which will then lead to confirmation of the woman's call to religious life • live the mission and charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph • become integrated as a contributing member of the congregation • develop, encourage, and deepen a sense of the mission through ministry The formation/discernment process is a gift exchange which considers the uniqueness of each individual and is attentive to the movement of the Spirit of the charism in each person’s discernment and faith development. With the awareness that the charism is already present within the individual seeking membership, the formation process seeks to deepen the charism’s power, influence, and integrity in her life. We affirm that a personal and communal desire to be open to the movements of grace and the influence of the Holy Spirit is essential to fidelity to God's call. The women who walk with us also give us many gifts offering new perspectives and helping us to see our lives together through a new lens. 5 Confidentiality At each stage of the formation process — from initial vocation discernment throughout initial profession — it is the responsibility of the director to safeguard and ensure the integrity of the discernment and formation process according to the congregation’s constitution and policies, as well as to the established ethical norms of vocation and formation ministries. Each director observes strict confidentiality in regard to a woman’s process and discloses to the congregational leader, and when necessary the general council and the next formation director, only the information which is relative to the criteria established for that stage of formation. Confidentiality during the Vocation Phase For many women, participation in the initial inquiry phase comes about for reasons that may be tentative or unclear even for the woman making an inquiry. An initial consideration of religious life often takes place in the context of a complex set of practical realities and circumstances related to her employment or academic pursuits, family, friends, colleagues, and faith community. In addition, while consecrated life in the Church is a public witness and life, the discernment of this life as a possible option for living out one’s baptismal call is not necessarily of a public nature. This initial inquiry period is a privileged time of questioning and self-discovery and is supported by providing a woman with the greatest degree of freedom from external influences. For this reason, as well as for the reasons noted here, the confidentiality that the vocation director observes is essential. While a woman making an inquiry or in the discernment process is free to disclose to others the nature, content, and characteristics of her process, the vocation director observes confidentiality