This phase is for one year. The postulant gets a closer experience of religious life. She is guided to internalize and personalize her experiences. Through initiation to personal and community prayer and a more challenging spiritual journey in doctrinal courses, the Postulant is helped to discover the foundation of her vocation in Jesus and to deepen her personal relationship with Him. She progressively experiences a sense of belonging to a larger family, that is, the Institute. The Postulant is sent for one month for a community experience in one of our communities. She should complete 17 years before entering the Novitiate.

The Novice attains greater understanding of her divine vocation especially to the HC family. It commences with the initiation rite after a retreat of 5 days. The duration of the Novitiate is for two years. The First year is Canonical. As we work in remote areas, the Novice is prepared “in the very beginning and more directly for the type of life of the activities which will be hers in the future”.

Her formation to this Apostolic Religious Institute involves prayer, solitude and formative activity, wherein she is helped to encounter God and confirm her response to the call.

Special emphasis is laid on personal prayer, liturgy and the sacraments. S Eucharist centered life is to lead her to understand communion in community. Meditation on Sacred Scriptures, the study of Church Documents, the life of our Founder and the History of the Institute are to help her to grow in her commitment to the charism and mission of the Institute

On the completion of the Novitiate, the Novice is admitted to Temporary Profession. During this period of six years, the Sister integrates into the life and mission of the Institute. Religious, apostolic, doctrinal and professional training during this period lead young religious to full maturity which will permit them to make a definite choice with complete awareness and freedom and which will place them in a position to live that choice fully.

TOur Perpetual Profession is the unique and essential act of our total consecration to God. It is preceded by a sufficiently long immediate preparation spent in retreat and prayer.

Before Perpetual Profession, the Junior Sister have a tertianship of intense preparation which last at least three months – a time to deepen her commitment through study, prayer and reflection, including a thirty day retreat.At Perpetual Profession, the Sister receives a silver ring from the Congregation as a symbol of her perpetual bridal self-gift to Christ.

TOur formation process continues throughout our life. Sisters have opportunities for professional training and renewal through seminars, courses, retreats etc. Sisters learn new methods and modern means of communicating the Gospel, according to the sign of the times.

Every Handmaid of Christ is to continue her ongoing formation through regular reading, reflection and keeping herself informed of the latest developments in the Church and in the world.