The Formation process is an on-going search, a progressive pilgrimage or a never-ending journey. It is a process in which change, growth and self transformation of the whole person takes place in union with Christ, through an experience of growing into religious person prepared and sent for mission.
It is the process that enables the formees to personalise the ideas and ideals transmitted to them, enabling them to develop qualities which make them authentic persons. This is an ongoing process initiated and guided by the Holy Spirit for the conversion of the person into an integrated, mature, whole person with deep faith, to become a true disciple of Christ.
Our response to the challenges posed by today's situation must be the overall improvement of the quality of our life and mission as a Religious. Only this will make us truly relevant and effective as religious and give us the transformation of our society. This QUALITATIVE CHANGE is called for more urgently for COMMITMENT.
The cost of discipleship for us religious is "to risk oneself radically for another". Commitment to the person of Jesus and obedience to Him become essential marks of a true disciple. Formator is the one who leads the way for the formees in her journey towards the goal of genuine discipleship.
"Jesus Christ is the only model for our formation. We receive his actions, his attitudes and his words as Mary did and we ponder them in our hearts". (G.C 109)
In the formative journey of Franciscan sisters of the Immaculate there are five stages of formation:
Aspirants
Postulancy
Novitiate
Juniorate
ON-GOING FORMATION