Sisters of Mary of the Presentation | Maryvale Provincial Center

Affiliation – This is a time of more formally getting to know one another by visits to the Religious Congregation, maybe working in ministries with the Sisters, or volunteering with them. It is good to pray with the Sisters, eat meals, recreate, and share with the Sisters as a way to get to know one another. This is similar to more serious dating with someone.
Postulancy – This is a time of moving in with a group of Sisters to experience their life more fully. This period lasts approximately one year for the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. The single woman continues to be responsible for her own livelihood and may continue to work at her own job or go to school, etc.
Novitiate – This stage lasts for 2 years. There is a formal application process before this stage begins.
1. The canonical year is the first year of the Novitiate. It is a year of solitude, a living with the Religious Congregation, study of Catholicism, prayer, Consecration to Jesus, Religious Life of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, Community Life and the three vows of Obedience, Poverty and Consecrated Celibacy.
2. The apostolic year of the Novitiate is a year of living community life with an active group of Sisters of Mary of the Presentation and engaging in the life of prayer and ministry. This experience might be in two or three different locations as a means of “trying on Religious Life”.