The Journey to Mercy

As you seek to follow your call to the Mercy way of living you will journey through several stages of deepening understanding and commitment to religious life.

Time and prayer are the best measures of a religious vocation. You will have an opportunity to evaluate every aspect of your life and decide whether fulfillment for you will come from living in a religious community.

An overview of the stages, marked by ritual, in this journey of exploration and discernment.

PART ONE: Vocation Discernment/Pre-Candidacy

• You will begin your relationship with a vocation minister; a Sister of Mercy who can answer your questions, pray with you, and open the door to the life we lead.
• You will have opportunities to meet Sisters and associates.
• You will have regular conversations with a Sister Mentor and begin to meet monthly with a spiritual director.
• There is no fixed duration of time associated with this step.
• The admissions process is done with the Vocation Minister.

   Discerning through conversation
        with others.

PART TWO: Candidacy

• This step begins with a rite of welcoming.
• You will enter this phase for a period of about two years.
• This period allows you to become active in our day to day lives as you reflect on where this journey is taking you.
• You will be accompanied by an Incorporation Minister and receive continued support from your Sister Mentor.
• During this time you will live in community with us, participating in our educational events, meetings, ministries, and prayer life.
• You will participate in four gatherings for Candidates throughout the Institute each year.

PART THREE: Novitiate

• This phase begins with a ritual of reception in which the Novice is called "Sister" and receives the Mercy Cross.
• The Novitiate is a two-year period which allows for a more intensive deepening of your relationship with God, reflecting on the meaning of the vows, exploring and beginning to integrate the Mercy mission in ministry, meeting regularly with the Incorporation Minister, and growing in Community.
• Your Canonical year and a portion of your Apostolic year are spent at the Institute Novitiate located in Laredo, Texas. The remaining portion of the Apostolic year is spent in ministry in your home Community.

PART FOUR: First Vows

• Begins with a celebration of committing your life fully to the ideals of Mercy and Catherine McAuley, our foundress. You will take vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and service to the poor.
• This phase can last from three to six years.
• Your work will reflect your talents and the needs of the Community.
• Annually you will have opportunities to gather with others in temporary vows.
• You will continue meeting with your Incorporation Minister and Sister Mentor.
• You will further study/reflect on religious life as a Sister of Mercy while continuing to integrate prayer, ministry and community in your life.
• This stage includes a retreat time prior to perpetual vows.

PART FIVE: Celebration of Perpetual Vows

Celebrating Ceremony for Perpetual Vows

• Perpetual vows are a public sign of your commitment to God. This is the most public and elaborate ceremony of all and includes both the vows and reception of the ring.

Sister Carolyn Brink
2335 Grandview Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone No. 513-221-1800
Fax No. 513-221-0207
or E-mail:Sister Carolyn