Explore Your Call
All Are Welcome to Inquire On Becoming a Bernardine Sister of the Third Order of St. Francis
On Becoming a Bernardine Sister of the
Third Order of St. Francis
Action One: Make An Inquiry
As a woman exploring religious life, email our Vocation Minister, Carol Ann Nawracaj, and inquire about the Bernardine Sisters as a life option.
Action Two: Make Time for Discernment
This is an experimental period to learn more about our Community through correspondence and visiting with the Bernardines and the Affiliate Candidate Minister, Sister Paula Marie Nowak,
at the Motherhouse. Through this method, you will gain understanding of who we are, our charism and most importantly, if this way of life feels comfortable to you and that you are drawn to it in a Spiritual way.
Action Three: Admission Process
You are welcomed into our Community as a candidate member and mutual discernment commences. By living, ministering and assimilating into our Community, you will best explore this commitment.
Action Four: Living next as a Novice
In our Community, you will spend two years in reflective study of Scripture, gather an appreciation of the consecrated life as lived in our apostolic religious Community and grow in the Spirit of St. Francis. In the second year, expect to focus deeply on the vows while exploring ministry opportunities offered throughout our Community. Sister Joanne Mary Kotwicki, Novice Minister.
Sister Jasmitte Xavier, Second Year Novice ~ Reading, Pennsylvania
Action Five: Living next as a Temporary Professed
After professing temporary vows for the first time, you are now a Temporary Professed Sister. Temporary Professed Sisters continue to pursue their studies, join a local Community with which to live and will be assigned a ministry of apostolic work.
INTERNATIONAL TEMPORARY PROFESSED SISTERS GATHERING
Sacred Heart Convent – Motherhouse
Reading, PA USA
February 1st to February 22, 2019
RESPONSES FROM OUR SISTERS TO THE QUESTION:
What message do you leave for the Congregation from the experience of the International Gathering of the Temporary Professed Sisters in the United States?
Sister Gracilete de Sousa Cardoso
Paraíba, Brazil
"That this blessed experience which brought so much learning for me, with life lessons and motivation, may be repeated with other Sisters, so that we may tighten our fraternal bonds and always be open to the needs of the Congregation of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, S. Marilisa and the Council, and all the Sisters."
Sister Samanta Karla de Sousa Carneiro
Ceará, Brazil
“#Gratitude
I am very grateful to the Triune God who wrapped us in his love during these days of meeting. They were days that strengthened me in my vocation and dedication to BE a Bernardine Franciscan Sister. It was a deep and intense experience: formation concerning the charism, retreat, and visits to the offices, St. Joseph Villa, Shenandoah, Mount Carmel, and Chester. In each of these moments, to feel the “burning” of the call to life. I am grateful to each of the Sisters for her fraternal welcome, and also to the Congregational Council, in the person of S. Marilisa, who first talked with me about this meeting, to have provided such a great opportunity. May God bless us and give us the fruit of vocations, as he did with Mother Veronica when she arrived in America. Amen.”
Action Six: Final Vows and Mission
A celebration that marks the completion of discernment, initial formation and the start of a new life commitment to follow Christ in a continuing formation begins with Final Vows, also known as Perpetual Vows. At the time of the profession of final vows, a ring will be placed on the Sister’s left hand which symbolizes your lasting covenant with God and your espousal to Christ. From here onward, you will strive to allow yourself to live, learn and grow each day while spending time both with the Sisters and the people you will meet in your ministry spreading God’s love.
Explore Your Call
Sister Jenniffer Acosta Rosario
Final Profession in Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
Yosari Mercedes Rosa Adames, Temporary Professed, renewing her vows at the Mother-house in Reading, Pennsylvania
Weekend Exploring Retreats
at the Motherhouse in Reading, PA
S. Cara's Final Profession
Vocation Inquiry
Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis
An International Congregation of Women Religious
An International Congregation of Women Religious
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