Formation

There is no greater apostolate then to build the life of some one. The Church considers Formation one of its important tasks. In the past our candidates were sending to Malta for their initial formation. Later on the Congregation felt the need to open a formation house in Pakistan. May 23, 1986, during the visit the General Superior Sr. Bertilla Bartolo to Pakistan, the Formation house in Karachi was officially opened and so the candidates had the opportunity to foster their formation in their own country. This step taken by the General Council, helped in many ways to enhance the itinerary of formation and helped the future sisters to live better their consecration.


The Itinerary of Formation
This itinerary develops gradually in five different stages and involves the whole person, physical and spiritual.

Vocation Animation
The Vocational Team, formed of seven sisters coming from different communities, prepares a well planed programme to meet young ladies who feel that God is calling them to consecrate them to Him through religious life.

The vocational animation Program offers seminars, live-ins, workshops, prayer meetings and guidance thus helping the aspirants to be aware of God's plan in their life. The members of the Vocation Animation Team testify with their own way of living the beauty and the value of the consecrated life. They visit regularly the families of the prospective aspirants introducing the family members to our way of life and explaining to them the meaning of consecrated life.

After a three days seminar and the necessary screening, those who feel that they are called to live our Charism are given the chance to start their Aspirancy.


Those who would like more information about this programme please contact
Sr. Rosemary Foster
Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus
The Provincialate
D6, Block 8
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi
Tel: 0092 21 4970843
E-mail: fcj@cyber.net.pk

Aspirancy
The Aspirancy (usually a year-long programme) gives the opportunity to the young lady to leave her family and live with a community of sisters. During this process of discernment, the aspirant will be guided by one of he sisters to insert herself in prayer and community life while at the same time she continues her studies. Our Aspirancy takes place in different communities. At present we have eight aspirants in Mirpurkhas and four in Chichawatni.






Initial Formation
The initial formation comprises three fundamental phases for progressive vocational maturity: Postulancy, Novitiate and the Juniorate.

Immaculate Heart of Mary' Postulancy
The Postulancy is a two year formation program with the aim of helping the candidate deepen her prayer life and discern her Call. The postulant is given every opportunity to acquire a gradual assuredness of her call and offered opportunities to identify with the charism of our congregation.
At the end of this phase the postulant will go home for one month to discern better her Call in life. If she opts to continue she will be prepared for her next formation phase 'The Novitiate' A simple ceremony will bring to an end this phase of formation and mark the entry into the novitiate. At present there are nine postulants in the formation programme in Karachi.

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus' Novitiate
With the official entry into the novitiate, the candidate starts her life in the Congregation which gradually leads her to identify herself as a Franciscan Sister of the Heart of Jesus. The Novitiate is the focal stage of the initial formation and the novice is given every opportunity to verify her intention and ability, and to be prepared for her future consecration. During a two year intensive program the novice goes for three months community experience in one of our communities, and she is given some other kinds of exposures. These exposures will help her to live fully her consecrated life. At the end of this phase the novice celebrates her First Religious Profession publicly. Our Formation House is in Karachi adjoin to Provincialate.

The Juniorate
The Juniorate is a lengthy period of formation during which the young professed Sister is introduced to the spousal union with Christ. This phase of formation, which covers the time between the Temporary and Perpetual Profession, has as its aim to foster in the junior the authentic experience of the consecrated life. During this time the young professed sister inserts herself within the community in an active and responsible manner. As an intensive preparation for their Perpetual Vows all the juniors are given the opportunity for one-year spiritual course to intensify her faith and acquire just concepts of Peace, Solidarity and Universal Fraternity.

Ongoing Formation
Ongoing formation is the daily commitment to live in the constant and progressive assimilation with Christ. Each one of us, as the first responsible for her formation, has to continually feel the need of spiritual growth. The sisters are given every opportunity to attend annual retreats, seminars, meetings, to pay fraternal visits, and to keep correspondence, thus fostering their on-going formation.