Formation

Formation
You continue the process of determining your call to Benedictine life by beginning a six to twelve- month period of candidacy. Candidates live in community with the sisters. This time of living in the monastery is an adjustment to the dynamics of community life. You follow the schedule of community prayer, work, meals and recreation. You devote time daily to lectio divina (holy reading), Centering Prayer, and attend classes to learn the fundamental principles of Benedictine life. You may lead community prayer. You meet regularly with a mentor for guidance and together reflect on your daily experience. If your theology needs updating, you may take courses in Christian formation.

When you complete the candidacy program, you leave the monastery for several weeks to reflect and pray about your time here and consider application to the next stage of formation

Let’s say you’ve decided to continue your spiritual journey with Benedictine Women of Madison and the community, in turn, has agreed. You return to the monastery and begin the two-year novitiate period.

Your primary focus as a novice is to deepen your discernment of the call to community through the experience of daily life. To live together in community and to live open to grace is the life-long seeking of God that the Rule calls the novice to daily. This way of life is intended for ordinary Christians with a deep desire for God. This desire finds meaning and expression primarily in the community context.

As a novice, you contribute to the life and work of the community: leading prayer, sharing your faith, serving guests in the dining room, working in the library or archives, and helping serve a meal to homeless people. Because our community places emphasis on care of the earth, outside physical work such as gardening, tree pruning, etc., may be something you would like to do.

Your primary work as a novice is to study the Rule of Benedict, Scripture, including the Psalms, liturgy, dialogue of the Christian churches and building and fostering an environment of Christian unity. Through a rhythm of daily work, prayer and leisure, you learn to integrate activities and bring them into the single focus of seeking God.

Time to evaluate again. Has the novitiate period been a satisfactory experience? Do you have a strong desire to make a commitment to Benedictine Women of Madison? Are you comfortable, happy and compatible with community members? Are you eager to contribute to the work of the monastery? Do you share the community’s vision and hope to see it fulfilled? If you have answered yes to these questions, it’s time to make the promise of First Profession.