Answering a call to religious life requires an initial period of training and formation both in the spiritual and consecrated life as in the particular charism of each institute. This stage is known as initial formation.
The process of formation is not ended when a Sister makes her perpetual profession, for even then, a Sister must continually renew her response through on-going formation on religious life and training for the apostolic activities of the institute.
The process of formation fosters conversion, which increasingly conforms one’s life to that of Jesus in holiness and perfect love. This is a life-long process of “putting on Jesus Christ” and living “in accord with the Spirit.” However, the initial stages of that process is essential to laying a strong foundation for fulfilling one’s vocation to consecrated life.
For the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, this process includes the following stages.