Formation
Dedicated to Christ and the marginalized, fostering a legacy of perpetual devotion & Evangelization.
The need for qualified personnel in all fields of evangelization is still a challenge to gain a new demand to approach the proclamation of the Gospel and newer inventions in human Societies, the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary commit themselves to carrying out the Mission of Christ. To go out to meet people without waiting for the people to come to them. They Evangelize in season and out of season. Moving to the areas that are neglected and with marginalized people. Identifying themselves with the sufferings as Christ did.
The Evangelizing Sisters of Mary is a growing Community. As an African Religious Missionary Congregation, though it has many vocations, the biggest challenge in the Congregation is that; in some tribes/cultures, a girl is given out for marriage in terms of dowry. Therefore, some parents are still struggling to allow their daughters to join a Religious life. Though it is an outdated practice, we still face it although we still enlighten the parents, and many of them are rooted in past practices.
To them, it is a life wasted. So, we are to make a lot of efforts in educating these parents to forego some of these cultures that are no longer in use. We call upon the parents to accept the evangelized culture that suits the people of God according to the signs of time.
Stages of Formation in Religious Life
The Evangelizing Sisters of Mary are Missionary by Nature. They admit girls from all over Africa without excluding other parts of the world. Anyone called by God can always join MCESM if they have the following requirement; Age 25 and above depending on their qualifications. If she is a graduate, it indicates she is older because she was a student somewhere. Acceptable grades are: “C+” and above or “C” with a course from a well-recognized College or University.
Aspirancy & Postulancy
This is one year that follows the entry into the Congregation in which the young woman gets to know the Congregation and the Congregation gets to know her better. She takes part in daily prayers and activities of the Community and attends classes to learn about religious life. She gains knowledge on Religious subjects such as Scripture, Catechism, Church Documents, the theology of beginners, the History of the Church, the History of Founders and the Congregation and its Charism. She is guided in the gradual transition from the lay life to the life of the Novitiate. At the end of the year, she discerns whether it is God’s will for her to continue with the next step she is to undertake.
Novitiate
Novitiate is a two-year programme. During this time, the Novice continues to deepen her Religious formation and the knowledge of the Congregation and its Charism. The 1st Year Novices also studies the vows, the Rule of life and traditions that govern the Congregation. The first-year Novice is primarily dedicated to the study and development of the inner self. The second year Novices are introduced to the apostolic life in the Congregation. Since this is an important time in the life of a young religious, all norms of activities that are not in line with the primary purpose of the Novitiate are excluded. At the end of the two years of formation, the novices are allowed to make their first profession by committing themselves to the vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience for one year renewable every year for three years. When six years are over, a temporal professed Sister requests in writing to make the vows for all her life in the Congregation.
Temporary Profession
The temporal profession is six years. During this time, the Sister renews her vows every year for three years, then three years at ago, for a total of six years under temporary vows after which the Sister requests through writing an application to the Superior General to be allowed to commit herself for all her life in the Congregation.
After perpetual profession, the Sister continues with the ongoing formation, which is lifelong. She keeps on updating her Religious life by Spiritual renewal and attending sabbaticals.