"HERE I AM, SEND ME!"
IS 6:8
Pastoral Care of Vocations
Canossian pastoral care of vocations embraces and spans all the branches of charity and calls us, as faith educators, to be attentive to adolescents and young people by concerning ourselves with their growth.
The main aim of Canossian Pastoral Care of Vocation is to lead teenagers ang young adults in a journey of human growth and in as experience of faith and encounter with the Lord Jesus, helping them to re-read their lives through the lens of vocational and missionary experiences.
Therefore, we are called to encourage young people to discern their life project, and if we are able to show that we are totally fulfilled in our choice of life, it will naturally bring them to consider their own vocation in life.
After having identified the signs of a particular vocation in young people, we encourage them to embark on an experience of accompaniment and discernment.
Stages of Formation
“Come and See” John 1:39
1. ASPIRANCY
It is the stage when the aspirant, in search and attracted by the love of God, expresses her desire to begin a responsible journey in order to know God’s plan in her life, remaining open to dialogue and feedback. In this period, she is helped to clarify her desire to answer God’s call, develop her capacity to reflect and know herself better, the history of the family and her attitudes which are essential for the life of a Canossian Daughter of Charity, Servant of the Poor.
“Here I am, Send me !” Is 6:8
2. POSTULANCY
It is the stage when the postulant is helped to nurture the human and Christian growth seen in her personal relationship with the Lord. With her formator, she evaluates the compatibility of her gift with the Canossian Charism and lifestyle with which she is introduced and gradually immersed during the period of Postulancy to be able to make a free and conscious choice.
“I am going to seduce her and lead her into the desert and speak to her heart” Hosea 2:16
3. NOVITIATE
It is the period of integral initiation to the Canossian religious life. Therefore, it is a special time when the novice begins to center her existence on Jesus Crucified with Mary at the foot of the Cross. During this period, the novice is helped to interiorize more deeply the gift of her Canossian vocation, to experience the life-style of the Institute, to shape her mind and heart according to its spirit and evaluate her real ability to live her consecration and communion in view of the mission.
“I will give ....a white stone with a new name written on it.” Revelation 2:17
4. JUNIORATE
It is the period of Temporary Profession whereby the Junior Sister is called to interiorize and integrate the values she has learnt, to consolidate her own charismatic identity and prepare herself for her Final Profession. It is a time when she learns, by experience, that the love of the Crucified Jesus is greater than her human heart. She establishes with Him an intimate relationship, so that the gift of His Spirit may animate every aspect of her being.
“Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.” (Ps.16:5)
5. ON-GOING FORMATION
The years after perpetual profession are a time of on-going formation. It is a journey which embraces the whole of our existence and involves the whole person, heart, mind and will. It requires freedom to let oneself to be formed by life with all the challenges that it presents to the person. It is a progressive effort of self-knowledge, relationships that promote communion in community and capacity to respond to the demands of mission.