After the application process is completed, the candidate is enrolled as an aspirant. The aspirant will be admitted to the Postulancy, only when she has completed the equivalent of Std. XII and knows English sufficiently, and she shows an inclination towards religious life. The postulant phase usually lasts about a year. During this time a woman is introduced more deeply into a relationship with God, the spirituality of the Poor Sisters of Our Lady, the way of the Sisters, and their ministries. After the postulant (1 year) and novitiate (2 years) phases, the new member can choose, if accepted by the congregation, to profess first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are renewed over a period of six years, after which the Sister can choose to make perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a full fledged member of the Institute of The Poor Sisters of Our Lady. The time frame of the entire process lasts about 9 years, but this can vary depending on individual circumstances and needs. For more details of what areas of instruction and development are covered under the Postulant, Novitiate and Juniorate phases, please visit the link to Formation.

Usually applicants are accepted between the ages of 17 & 25 years. The final decision regarding the age of a possible applicant is dependent on the individual's situation and the decision of the Council of the Institute.

A woman has usually been in regular contact with a vocation facilitator and a spiritual director before beginning the application process. This process helps the Poor Sisters of Our Lady and the applicant to come to know each other. The vocation facilitator and the candidate both need to agree on this step. To be put in touch with a vocation facilitator you could contact your Parish Priest or contact our Institute directly. The email address is given at the end of this page.

The Poor Sisters of Our Lady are an Institute of religious women who participate in the mission of the Roman Catholic Church. Through their charism of Gladly Emptying to God, so that God may be incarnate today through them, they focus on the apostolic work in education, service of the poor and marginalized, nursing, care of the elderly and pastoral work. This ministry, together with their prayer life, contributes to the growing pool of grace to make the presence of Christ and His Blessed Mother more real in this world, to heal wounds, and bring all people home to God.