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Vocation/Formation
Becoming a Marist Missionary Sister
"As Missionary Sisters of
the Society of Mary we are called to follow Christ, giving
ourselves unreservedly to Him in order to participate in
His mission. Formation
should enable us to bring our lives into harmony with this
call in generosity
and joy, while growing towards that fullness of Christ which
the Father desires for us."
Seeking entrance into the congregation
of the Marist Missionary Sisters, you are asking to participate
in a particular way of life. Deepening your relationship with
God, learning about religious missionary life, and about our
charism, spirit and spirituality needs a period of time.
 First
of all, you will begin a period of personal contact with an
smsm sister through letters, email, visits, etc. During this
time, you will discern your calling to this way of life and
how your gifts can best be used in the mission of the church.
You will be led to an appreciation of the Marist Spirit and
encouraged to get to know the charism of our congregation.
Should you desire to pursue the smsm charism, you will be
accompanied in your discernment by a sister and invited to
visit smsm communities and ministries. This period of discernment
provides the time for us to get to know you and for you to
get to know us.
 Accompanied
by an smsm, you will then be invited to spend from six months
to a year in a community, in order to grow in an understanding
of how God is calling you as a woman, as a Christian, and
as a Marist Missionary Sister. The goals at this time of initial
formation are to deepen your Christian life and to further
your growth in human development for a better knowledge of
yourself and to share more deeply in the smsm way of life.
This is a time to become aware of your aptitude to live in
an international, multicultural community and to assess your
ability for service of others.
You will then begin the novitiate
in an international and cross-cultural setting, living in
a multicultural community as you prepare to live a consecrated
life in  the
Church. This is a two-year program. The first year is the
spiritual year and the second year includes mission experience
as you learn to integrate ministry, prayer and community.
When this period is completed, if we have come to a mutual
agreement on your readiness to make a commitment as an smsm,
you will make a temporary commitment in the form of the three
vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. The period of temporary
commitment lasts for six to nine years before a sister makes
her final profession of vows.
ENGLISH-SPEAKING NOVITIATE: Auckland,
New Zealand
FRENCH-SPEAKING NOVITIATE: Pikine,
Senegal
SPANISH-SPEAKING NOVITIATE: Lima,
Peru
In the United States, contact:
Email:infosmsm@maristmissionarysmsm.org
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