We, the Sisters of the Cross are called to welcome the Cross of Christ as a way of truth, liberation and life for ourselves, for the Congregation and for the world.
The Institute proposes to the Sisters, some means for their internal growth in the accomplishment of their mission.” (ROL 28)
“The formation of a Sister of the Cross is to train her to put on the same sentiments and attitudes of Jesus Christ, the Servant who was poor and humble, but who in full freedom gave up His life on the Cross in order to save humanity.” (ROL 28/2)
Thus we have two stages of formation: Initial formation and On-going formation.
Initial Formation
1. Candidacy
During this period, the candidate who desires to enter the Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross is accompanied and helped to make sure of her call. (COME AND SEE PROGRAMME)
2. Pre – Novitiate
It is a time of experience which permits the candidate to deepen her life of faith and to grow in freedom to answer the call of God with a certain maturity, thus enabling the pre-novice and the Congregation to come to know each other.(ROL 30)
3. Novitiate
During this period, the novice makes sure of her call to follow Christ as a member of an international Congregation of apostolic life. She is initiated to live the charism of the Sisters of the Cross and she develops her capacity to respond to Him in total freedom. (ROL 31)
4. Inter-province Novitiate
Over the past few years, the Sisters have been reflecting upon the need to have an inter-province collaboration in Asia at any one stage of initial formation. Hence, the inter- province novitiates were opened in the year 2011 in five different places. Presently, there are 63 pre-novices, 54 novices and 188 junior sisters in the Congregation.
5. Juniorate
The Junior Sister continues the personal spiritual experience begun at novitiate and grows in the love of Christ by a life of contemplation in action. She lives her mission in an apostolic community, learns to situate herself as a religious in the milieu where she lives. (ROL 33)
6. On-going formation at all levels
Each Sister works at her integral formation which contributes to the development of her capacities and strengthens her apostolic vigour. She constantly renews her encounter with the living Christ and gives priority to His preferences and choices in her daily life. A deep spirituality fuels the soul with the spirit that makes ongoing commitment possible.
Formation Houses
Tabor – Training Centre – Aspirancy – Amravati
Cenacle – Formation House – Amravati
Sisters of the Cross Training Centre – Novitiate – Bhopal
Formation is an approximately ten-year process that prepares a woman for a final commitment as a religious. It involves several stages of different lengths, and the woman may choose to continue or discontinue the process at any stage.
If you think you might have a call to the religious life or want to know more about the Sisters of the Holy Cross, please contact us.