Are you being called to give your whole being in loving availability, like Mary in her Ecce et Fiat? The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary welcome young women who desire to follow Christ in mission, prayer, and joyful service among the people of God.
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
The formation journey is meant to help a woman discern God's call with freedom and maturity. Each stage allows her to grow in human balance, Christian life, prayer, missionary openness, and familiarity with the FMM charism.
Throughout the process, accompaniment and community life help the candidate discover whether the Lord is inviting her to continue into the next step.
From first discernment to temporary profession, each stage deepens the call to prayer, community, and mission.
"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" Lk 5:4b
This is a time of deeper searching and discernment, where a young woman opens herself to discover God's specific call with the accompaniment of an FMM sister. Those who have completed the basic requirements may join a live-in aspirancy program for two or three months.
"Come and see..." John 1:39
The pre-novitiate or postulancy helps a candidate become familiar with FMM religious life and continue human and Christian formation. This stage usually lasts one to two years and includes seminars, personal study, spiritual accompaniment, and a mission exposure in community.
"Follow me" Lk 5:27c
The novitiate marks the beginning of religious life and lasts two to two and a half years. It is an intensive period of initial formation focused on prayer, silence, reflection, discovery of the FMM charism, and preparation for consecration through the evangelical vows.
"Behold I send you..." Mt 10:16a
This is the period of initial engagement in the FMM life and mission. Temporary vows are normally made for three years and may be renewed while the sister continues theological, apostolic, and skills formation towards a definitive commitment.
A young woman discerning a vocation with the FMM is normally expected to be a baptized and confirmed Catholic in good standing, single and without dependents, in good physical and emotional health, with a sound basic education and a sincere desire to live consecrated missionary life. Reach out to the vocations team to begin a conversation of discernment.
A candidate should have completed her high school or secondary education or the equivalent, and have a good comprehension of English.
She should have a sense of having been called personally by Christ and the desire to respond to this call.
She should have the moral and spiritual aptitude needed to enter religious life as it is lived in the Institute.
For admission to the Pre-Novitiate, a candidate should ordinarily be at least 20 years of age.
She should have good health and psychic balance.
A genuine Christian vocation grows in prayer, inner freedom, emotional balance, generosity, and a desire to give one\'s life to Christ in service.
If you sense that God may be inviting you to religious life, begin the conversation. Discernment does not start with certainty, but with openness and trust.
For guidance, accompaniment, or further information about vocation and formation, contact the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Divine Providence Region.
Address: St. Rose of Lima Provincialate, Post Office Box 30252, Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Accra, Ghana, West Africa
Phone: +233 24 723 7781
Email: secprovincial96@gmail.com
