Becoming a Sister

To be an active missionary, a woman must also have the maturity needed to live and work in small towns and rural areas, and the ability to grow and develop in her religious vocation.

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Mrs. Barbara O'Nan is the Vocations Facilitator for the Glenmary Sisters. She is dedicated to helping women discern a vocation to ministry.

If you would like to learn more, please contact the Glenmary Sisters' Vocation Department or call toll-free, 1-800-301-2689 for more information.

The Sisters in our missions are always eager to host women who are discerning a call to ministry. Just let Barbara know when you would like to come and she will try to schedule a visit.

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Initially, any inquiries and applications are handled through the Director of Vocations. Acceptance of applicants into the community are processed by the community president and an admissions board.

Becoming a member of the Glenmary Sisters' community involves the following  stages (click on each to learn more):

Sr. Sharon and her mother 

celebrate her final profession.

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Suggested Reading

"Getting a Life: How to Find Your True Vocation"

by Renee LaReau, 158 pages.

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A Prayer for Vocations to the Home Missions

Loving God, You call each of us in a unique and special way to share in the mission of bringing Your Gospel message to life. We come to You now as Glenmary Sisters, Guild Members, family and friends to ask Your help in opening our hearts and our minds so that we may more fully understand the vision You have for us and this community during these changing times. We pray, that like our founder, Father Bishop, who believed and proclaimed the importance of ministry to the forgotten and marginalized of the United States, that we, too, may find ways to inspire others to share in this mission. Just as You have placed in each of our lives loving men and women, who by their example instilled in us the courage to respond to Your invitation to serve You, please grant that we may also instill that courage in others, so that they, too, may open their hearts to Your call.

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Candidature:

This is a one year period during which a woman is prepared for a missionary vocation with the Glenmary Sisters. The candidate will experience times for prayer and reflection; instruction on Glenmary's charism and the regional subcultures to which Glenmary Sisters are sent; community life and opportunities for ministry. Throughout the year the candidate enters into further guidance, direction, and reflection on her future in Glenmary. If she continues in her desire for Glenmary life, she may request to be accepted into the novitiate.

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Novitiate:

The Novitiate is a two-year period.

The first year is a concentrated time of prayer and learning. It is a time of personal journey and listening to God's call.

The emphasis of the second year is a more active experience in mission. During this time, the novice receives instruction on prayer, the vows, the community's founder, Glenmary spirituality, the community's documents and the history of religious life.

At least three months before completion of the novitiate, the novice requests of the president, in writing, to be admitted to Temporary Profession.

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Temporary Profession:

At the time of first profession, the woman in formation assumes all of the duties, rights and obligations of the community. She may request to renew temporary vows annually from three to six years.

After completing at least three years of temporary profession, the Sister may request perpetual profession of vows.

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By making a perpetual profession in the community, a Sister is admitted to full membership. She takes upon herself, together with all the other members of the community, a share in the responsibility for the life and work, the mission and ministry of the community with both active and passive voice.

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