“Founded on God’s faithfulness, religious profession is lived in faith, hope, and love.”
FMM Constitutions, no. 50
The vocation of a Franciscan Missionary of Mary is a journey that unfolds gradually, through prayer, encounters, and discernment.
Each woman called to this life moves forward step by step, accompanied by sisters, learning to follow Christ in Franciscan simplicity and mission.
Stages of Formation
The first step: the pre-novitiate
After a time of meetings and shared life experiences with the sisters, the pre-novitiate begins.
This stage allows for continued discernment and a deeper discovery of the life of a Franciscan Missionary of Mary.
It generally lasts from 6 months to 2 years and takes place within a community, sharing in its prayer, fraternal life, and mission.
The program is adapted to each person’s journey and includes:
- an introduction to a life of prayer
- discovery of community life
- the history and charism of the congregation
- a first experience of mission
During this stage, the pre-novice receives the Franciscan tau, a sign of her journey.
The second step: the novitiate
The novitiate is a time of spiritual foundation lasting two years.
It is a privileged time to deepen one’s personal relationship with God and to enter more fully into the spirituality of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
The novice comes to know religious life more deeply and prepares for consecration through vows.
At the beginning of the novitiate, she receives the Constitutions of the Institute, which express the way of living the Gospel within the congregation.
The third step: temporary profession
At the end of the novitiate, the sister pronounces the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for an initial period.
This stage, called temporary profession, generally lasts from 3 to 6 years.
The sister continues her formation within a community while engaging in mission: theological studies, pastoral service, or professional activity depending on needs and personal gifts. On the day of her profession, she receives the sign of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Final commitment: perpetual profession
Perpetual profession marks the definitive commitment to religious life.
The sister then receives a ring, a sign of her total gift to God.
With the Superior General, she also receives her mission assignment, according to the needs of the Church, the Institute, and her abilities.
She then fully participates in the universal mission of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, in France or in one of the many countries where the sisters are present.
Becoming an FMM
A life given
“Founded on God’s faithfulness, religious profession is lived in faith, hope, and love.”
FMM Constitutions, no. 50
Through the vows:
- Poverty makes us free, like pilgrims on the way to the Kingdom
- Obedience teaches us to let God guide our lives
- Chastity opens us to a total and universal love
What if God is calling you?
If you are wondering about your vocation, you can simply meet a sister and take time to talk.
We would be happy to welcome you and walk with you.