Throughout history women and men have been called to live according to the gospel in a variety of ways.  The spirit awakens a response within each person.

In order to discern this response more fully and to help bring it to maturity, women seeking to live according to our Josephite way of life spend a period of time, becoming familiar with our vowed life and mission.  They need to have reached an appropriate degree of psychological and emotional maturity and be in a good health.

When the candidate completes the requisite period of enquiry she may seek admission to the Novitiate.  After discernment, the Congregational Leader, with the consent of her council, admits the candidate in accordance with the prescriptions of Church and Congregational Law.

The purpose of the Novitiate is the formation of authentic followers of Jesus Christ.  It is a time of continued discernment for the novice and the Congregation.  In an atmosphere of recollection and prayer, the novice continues to deepen an awareness of God’s presence and the action in all of life.  She becomes familiar with the spirituality and mission of Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop and with the spirit and traditions of the Congregation.

Without prejudice to the norms of Church Law the Novitiate comprises two years, and includes periods of apostolic activity outside the novitiate community. 

On completion of her novitiate in accordance with the prescriptions of Church and Congregational Law, the novice is free to apply to make first profession.  If deemed suitable, she is admitted to first profession by the Congregational Leader with the consent of her Council.