Third Probation
This intense period of six months offers the Junior Sisters time to cultivate and live in an environment of silence, prayer, reflection and study as preparation for their total consecration to God through Perpetual Profession. The purpose of the Third Probation is to allow the Junior Sisters to have a strong experience of encounter with God. Through a more intimate friendship and union with Christ, they will fully realize the importance of the commitment to which they are going to bind themselves and will appreciate in all its value the divine gift of their vocation. All this should awaken in them an intense and conscious desire to consecrate themselves to God forever on the altar of true charity in the service of Christ in the sick.
During this time the Junior Sisters are encouraged to acquire a relationship of greater intimacy and union with Christ.
- Have an in-depth knowledge of the commitments they are about to make through Perpetual Profession
- Consider the divine gift of their vocation in all its value
Means:
- Environment of silence and recollection for prayer and reflection
- Exercises of piety, asceticism, silence and austerity of life
- Daily instructions on prayer life, the Constitutions, apostolate, social-religious behavior
- 30 day Spiritual Exercises in silence
- Course on spiritual renewal
- Fraternal correction
- Personal interviews with the Mother Directress
- Domestic chores
- During this time the Junior Sisters will not go out to care for the sick.
- Sufficient time will be given for personal prayer and liturgical celebrations. They will be encouraged to spend their free time with the Lord.