To become a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, the young women have to go through different stages of formation.

Aspirancy

At first, the vocation promotion is done by the Sisters who meet the girls in their parishes and schools. The girls who desire to join our congregation send their application and they are invited to join the Aspirancy course of 3 months, after which they became candidates. Our aspirancy is in Kiziba Community.

Requirements to join us

Good health, Catholic, S.4 with 1st or 2nd grade, S.6 with at least 2 passes, government recognized courses .

Contact vocation coordinator

Candidacy

Candidacy program is for 6 months where the candidates are given more knowledge about our Congregation and our Mission. Classes – community, values, introduction to bible, adult catechism, congregation, blessed Ulrika, St. Francis, music/ instruments, Art & Craft, home visit, introduction to prayer. The candidates live together as a separate community where they are directed and guided by the candidate mistress. The Candidates community is in Kiziba Community.

Pre-Postulancy

For 9 months the candidates are sent to different communities for community experience – to live with the sisters and to discern their vocation.

Postulancy

Those who wish to continue their formation are invited to join the Postulancy which is for 1 year. The Postulants are given classes on Bible, Gospel according to Saint John, Founders of our Congregation, Community Life. The postulancy is found in Namugongo Community.

Novitiate

This is the stage that follows postulancy and it’s for two years. The novices are trained intellectually and spiritually through the classes to face the challenges of the mission. Formators are also trained in scripture, Theology so that they can effectively guide the novices.

The novices interact with other novices in the inter-novitiate programs arranged by the Association of Religious in Uganda. This enables them to get enriched through their shared experiences with members of other religious congregations and to bridge the barriers that would keep us separate, thus becoming “No longer Strangers but friends” as the motto of ARU says.

They are also provided with community experience and exposure programs for a month in the rural areas where they stay among the people. These programs promote awareness and sensitivity among the young women under formation and help them to work for the cause of the poor and underprivileged.

First Profession

The Novices who have grown in their vocation and desire to become a Religious are invited to make their first profession which is for 2 years.

Juniorate

It is a period where the Junior Sisters live in the communities and get fully involved in the Mission of our Community. During this period they are also sent for training according to the need of the Congregation’s Mission.

The Juniorate Mistress invites them whenever possible to give them classes on different topics and accompany them on their religious journey.

Profession of temporary vows that is first for 2 years and then renewed for 3 years brings the sister closer to her goal. The sister is assigned to be in the community in the first year of her profession, to be member of the community, participating fully in it’s life and ministry. She is then sent to continue her studies and go for training as per the need of the Vicariate. After the fifth year of her being a junior sister, she undergoes immediate preparation for the profession of perpetual vows for life as a Tertian sister.

Final Profession

This is when the Junior Sisters are convinced of their call to follow Christ and having discerned their vocation, they apply to Mother General and Team for Permission to make their Final Profession.

Sisters responsible for the formation stages

Aspirancy and Candidacy Sr. Mary Grace Kayaga

Postulancy Sr. Prossy Nansereko

Novitiate Sr. Imelda Namyanzi

Junior Sisters Sr. Mary Margaret Nnassuuna

Tertianship Sr. Lisa Mudoor

Ongoing Formation Sr. Marianne Maduckayil