The Process of Becoming a Sister

Step One—Affiliation
Affiliates are women who have a serious interest in exploring life as an SSND. Often young women become affiliates while they are in college. Affiliates continue their education or remain at their jobs and live in their own place of residence. They are given opportunities to interact with members of the community and other women who are thinking about becoming a sister. Generally, a woman is an affiliate for six months to two years.

Affiliation is an opportunity to continue discerning a desire to live religious life as a School Sister of Notre Dame. Vocation Director, Sister Julie meets monthly with affiliates to assist them with ongoing discernment. Regular contact with sisters and a live-in experience with one of our local communities are also part of the program.

Single women, ordinarily between the ages of 18 and 35, who are attracted to our mission can seek affiliation. Interested women must be a member of the Catholic Church, baptized, and confirmed, for a least three to five years and usually have some post-secondary education.

Step Two—Postulancy
At this stage of the process, the woman is invited to live with a group of SSND’s, sharing life in community while continuing to discern her vocation. Postulants are financially independent and continue to work at their jobs. They also participate in classes on scripture and prayer. Ordinarily a woman is a postulant for six months to two years.

Step Three—Novitiate (no vish'e it)
At this time, the Novitiate is in St. Louis, Missouri, where novices from across North America spend two years of special time for prayer, solitude, and study in order to form a deeper relationship with Christ and to grow in understanding the vows. Novitiate also includes time for a volunteer ministry experience.

Step Four—First Profession
After these years of discernment, the community invites the woman to profess vows. At this time the woman takes the title of sister. For a period of six years, the sister commits herself to live consecrated celibacy, gospel poverty, and apostolic obedience in community according to our constitution (way of life). During this time of temporary commitment, the sister continues discerning God’s call as she prepares to be consecrated forever.

Step Five—Perpetual Vows
A sister is consecrated by God to live the vowed life forever as a School Sister of Notre Dame.

Want to learn more? Contact Sister Julie Brandt