1. First experiences - the first step of getting to know the community can take place, first through the internet and webcam dialogue, then through brief visits to the community (or, for those who live far away, longer periods of time), which are normally followed by an experience of 15 (consecutive) days.

2. Aspirancy (6 months) – After these initial experiences, candidates may enter into the 6 months of aspirancy (signified by their reception of the large scapular of the community) for an initial vocational discernment. During this time they focus on discerning God’s call in their life (whether it is with the pfsgm community or elsewhere) and receive basic training in liturgical prayer, the charism of the community, and catechesis on how to answer questions of the Faith on the basis of Scripture and Tradition.



3. Postulancy (1 year) –  If, after the aspirancy, candidates discern a call to continue with the community, they may enter the postulancy (signified by their reception of the half-habit). During this year, they enter more deeply into the life and apostolate of the community, while the intellectual component of the formation focuses on the mysteries of the Rosary, an overview of the Bible, the four patron saints of the community, and further study on the liturgy and consecrated life.




4. Novitiate (2 years) – if appropriate (according to the discernment of the superiors), candidates may then enter the two-year novitiate, at which point they assume the full habit and the religious name. While the heart of the novitiate is spiritual formation, there is also a significant emphasis on the intellectual component; the first (canonical) year of novitiate includes the history of the Church (from the life of Christ to the end of the middle ages), the theology of consecrated life (especially the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience), basic elements of psychology, sociology, bioethics, etc.

The second year of novitiate, while continuing the intellectual formation (completing the history of the Church and providing further insight into the pfsgm charism and the theology of consecrated life), is also open to further and varied experiences of the pfsgm life and apostolate.


5. Temporary Vows (3 years) – At the end of the novitiate, members are admitted to the temporary profession, which is renewed every year for a total of three years of temporary vows. At this point, the intellectual dimension of formation becomes more concise (deeper study of specific sections of Scripture, Church documents, etc.), while members now take on more active roles within the community.

(At this point, with suitable prayer and discernment and in agreement with the superiors, members are permitted to enter into further studies at an institute of higher education.)


6. Perpetual Vows - After this, members have access to perpetual vows.