The Helper's journey

We are called to be witnesses to the Gospel in a dialogue which is open to present-day problems and to be  close to those who suffer.  Our formation raises  awareness to everything that gives hope to our world divided by sin, injustice and godlessness.

Our mission directs us towards individuals and peoples of different cultures.  Our formation prepares us to respect the values of others in our encounter with them.

In view of our mission, we strive continually to deepen our faith life, to develop our personal gifts and to evaluate our attitudes in the light of the Gospel so that Christ may be reflected in our actions.

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are at the heart of our formation.  They enable us to personally experience the inner freedom which allows us to hear the call to serve and which gives us the courage to respond joyfully.  The founding intuitions of Eugenie Smet, our founder, are integral to our formation.  We want to be faithful to them and to be attentive to developing their richness in a creative response to the needs of our times.

Formation for our Mission

As a community involved in a changing world
and from many different cultures,
we must have a formation  which encourages:
-  confronting our own social origins:
-  rediscovering our cultural roots;
-  appreciation of the diversity within communities;
-  opening oneself to learn from those who are different;
-  the discovery of religious values already at work in those we meet.

STAGES OF FORMATION

Candidacy
If, after the intial contact, a woman wishes to further explore her call to the Helpers she will enter into a period of candidacy.  As a candidate whe will live with Helpers and reflect on her vocation to find out if she is called to the Helper way of life.  This is a time when she enters into the community life of the sisters and has the opportunity to determine whether her aspirations and aptitudes lie in this form of religious life.  This period is flexible but can last from 1-2 years.

Novitiate
The candidacy ends with the decision to enter the novitiate.  The candidate can leave at any time or may be asked to leave by the Provinical Superior.
The novitiate generally lasts two years. 
     This is a time to acquire a greater self-knowledge, spiritual discernment and the inner detachment which the following of Jesus Christ demands.  
     The novice will have regular times of prayer and become familiar with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius; experience community; undertake apostolic endeavours; live according to the spirit of the Vows;  assess whether she can live according to the traditions and Constitutions of the Helpers.

Temporary Profession
At the end of the novitiate the sister makes profession to follow Jesus Christ in celibacy, poverty and obedience, for a period of one, two or three years.  The duration of Temporary Profession is six years during which time the sister is fully engaged in the mission of the Institute either by direct action or by particalur studies or formation to better equip her for mission.

Final Profession
After six years the sister makes Final Profession to follow Jesus Christ wihtin the Helper community.
     All through her religious life there will be times of spiritual renewal, formation sessions for mission and practical involvement with people of all cultures and beliefs as she journeys with them to their ultimate goal, the vision of God.
     Her formation will help her interpret the signs of the times and the means she must take to struggle with others for a more human existence for those in any kind of need, in the spirit of Jesus Christ:

I HAVE COME TO BRING THEM LIFE, AND LIFE TO THE FULL!

Photo: Sister at prayer in Chad on the 150th anniversary of our foundation.