Membership
As a Vowed Member
Vocational Discernment
During this preliminary phase,
a woman with an interest
in religious life, discerns where God is leading her. She
is provided with opportunities for growth through prayer, spiritual
direction, self knowledge, and an understanding
of religious life as lived by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the
Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York. The duration of this program
varies with the needs of the individual woman.
Candidacy
The candidacy phase of formation provides a woman with
the lived experience of community. Through this lived experience,
work and study, she develops her prayer life
and gains both a deeper knowledge of Christ and an appreciation
of the mission, charism and ministerial works
of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The duration of the Candidacy period
is usually one year.
Novitiate
The novitiate is the next phase of formation in which the
novice is initiated into a deeper spiritual life and a fuller
understanding of the apostolic religious life. The duration
of the novitiate period is two years. During this time, the novice
deepens her understanding of the essentials and requirements
of religious life and of the vows of chastity,
poverty and obedience. At the end of this phase the novice
makes temporary profession of the vows and moves into
the juniorate phase of formation.
Juniorate
The juniorate phase of formation intensifies the sisters experience
through full participation in the ministry of
the Congregation. During this time of temporary vows,
the sister integrates an active involvement in ministry with
prayer and community living. The duration of the program
varies with the needs of the sister, but must be at least three
years, with a maximum of nine years.
For more information please contact:
Vocation Director:
Sr.Mary Gregory, SSJ
1425 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601
As a Lay Associate Member
Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph are
men and women who...
manifest a desire to be associated
with the SSJ's and a commitment to grow in understanding and
living the Sisters of
St. Joseph charism;
commit to: centering one's life
in the Eucharist; living a life rooted in the Sacraments and
the Word of God; moving toward
a profound love of God and the dear neighbor in a spirit
of unity and reconciliation; and reflecting simplicity, gentleness,
joy and cordial charity in daily living;
reflect a willingness to deepen
the spiritual and apostolic
bonds with others who share their commitment;
pray with and for the Community;
Our Associates participate in monthly meetings and annual days
of prayer. They make a yearly commitment and continue their commitment
to ministry within their own lifestyle.
For more information about the
Associate program,
contact:
Sr. Kathleen DeBoalt, SSJ
1425 Washington St.
Watertown, NY 13601
Diocese of Ogdensburg, by their vowed lives, express their love of God through the
pursuit of a closer union with God
and the dear neighbor. Through the
Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy,
the Sisters proclaim and live this great love
in a spirit of unity and reconciliation.