JOIN US

As Sisters

- God calls, gives wisdom and grace.

- Signs to Recognize: Deep desire of Spirit to know and carry out God’s plan for me.

We invite you to spend some time with us exploring the possibility of a vocation as a Cluny Sister. We the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny continue to be signs of hope in today's environment. One way of living in hope is to embrace our 'uncertain future' with joy, believing that there are generous young women out there who have the same 'conviction' the same 'call' eager to present the gift of their lives, to be used imaginatively in extending the Mission of Christ.  Do you fit this category? Are you willing to take the first step? 

Stages in the formation of a sister

0 – Pre-postulancy

If a young woman is interested in finding out more about discerning a vocation with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, she contacts her nearest community to meet the sisters, discuss her options and, if she so chooses, request admission. 

 1 - Postulancy (6months – 2 years)

Postulancy is spent in one of the Congregation’s Houses in direct contact with the Sisters’ life and mission.  Its central aim is to help the young woman experience the sisters’ community life and develop her calling through human and spiritual guidance with a view to entry into the novitiate. It should allow each candidate to have a glimpse of the riches of religious life as well as the changes in lifestyle this demands.

2 - Novitiate (2 years)

“The main objective of the Novitiate is to establish the spiritual principles essential to a Sister so that her religious life may be truly based on God, a life lived through Him and in Him…The Novices will be progressively led to understand the importance of the vows for which they are preparing themselves and to personally assume that responsibility.” ( Constitutions of the congregation).

The Novitiate lasts two years, but may be extended for a further six months if necessary. The Novices are accompanied by a Formator who helps and directs them.  The program takes the form of guidance in prayer, discernment of vocation, human development, biblical studies, congregational literature and Church doctrine.  

3 - Temporary Profession (3 – 9 years)

Temporary vows in Obedience, Chastity and Poverty are made at the end of the novitiate as the first official response to the call of God, the first step towards final consecration.  These temporary vows usually last for three years, and are renewable up to a period not longer than nine years.

Its objective is to give the religious candidates a more specific preparation in order to carry out the mission entrusted by the Church to the Congregation. They are full members of the congregation, living their apostolic, professional and communal lives, according to the mission which is entrusted to them.

4 - Perpetual Profession and Ongoing Formation

The culmination of temporary vows is perpetual profession which is the gift of oneself to God, His Church and the congregation for life. 

But formation does not end here! Throughout her life, a Cluny Sister is invited to continue her formation. ”Continuous development is part of the requirements of the religious consecration...” She should strengthen her initial formation, predisposing herself to life-long development.”(V.F.nº69)

Associates

The Associates are believers who have taken their Baptismal Commitment seriously, who wish to grow in their faith and who join us in living the Charism and Spirituality of the Congregation in such a way that religious and laity alike affirm each other's vocation. 

Why Associates?

In the Encyclical "Christi Fidelis Laici" Pope John Paul II calls for the laity to be given their rightful place in the Church. As Sisters of St.Joseph of Cluny, we are aware that we have a spiritual heritage to share, a way of sanctity bequeathed by our foundress Anne Marie Javouhey.

Anne Marie Javouhey's charism was given to her for the Church. We discover this same gift in the laity who recognize in themselves an affinity with Anne Marie Javouhey.

 Who can be an Associate of the Sisters of St.Joseph of Cluny?

Any baptized adult, woman or man, coming from very different backgrounds, who wishes to live Gospel values and is attracted by the spirit of Anne Marie Javouhey, finding in her vision an affinity with their own particular vision.

How to become an Associate       

The formation for the Associates is a help to deepening the Word of God and the Faith, for each one's prayer life. And a support in living out the Gospel better and realizing God's plan in their daily life and in the Church.  

Contents

The formation of Associates is based on:

- the knowledge of Anne Marie Javouhey

- putting into practice her spirituality and charism which already lives in them.

- the history of the Congregation yesterday and today throughout the world

Guidelines

Associates gather with a Sister who shares with them about the life and spirituality of Anne Marie. Together they discover and deepen the gift of the charism already present in their lives.

Commitments

Given the specific character of the Associates who are not religious, their commitment is first and foremost determined by their own interior motivation. Consequently, after their formation, several possibilities are open to them:

-A specific commitment for one year, renewable

-A longer commitment, which could go as far as a final commitment, if the Associate so requests.

Persons who wish to live according to the spirit of Anne Marie Javouhey without making any commitment can join an Associates group and attend meetings regularly.

As Volunteers:

To help us in our ministries at any level

-         Administration on the work field

-         In the training sessions

-         Financially supporting any Projects, Training or Ministry