The constitutions of the Company of St Ursula, the Secular Institute of St Angela Merici, necessarily adhere to the principles articulated in Canon Law for Institutes of Consecrated Life. Hence a woman wishing to become a member of the Secular Institute of St Angela Merici, will follow a path similar to that for joining other Institutes of Consecrated Life.
For the Secular Institutes of St Angela Merici, the Initial Journey has two phases, the first phase being a period of vocational orientation or friendship. There is no set time frame for this period. Following this period of vocational orientation, the person may formally request to be admitted to the second phase of this initial journey. This second phase is a two year period during which the person undertakes "to study in depth the identity of secular consecration", the spirit of the Foundress, to verify her own vocation, and to experience the form of life that is to be undertaken. At the end of this two year period, the person may request to be admitted to temporary profession. Final vows may be taken after five years of temporary vows.
Because this vocation is a secular vocation, none of the above requires a person to move from where they are living or to resign from their current employment. This formation period is undertaken concurrently with normal life, as this is the manner in which the vocation is lived out. It does require a commitment to developing a deep prayer life, and to finding time for regular dialogue. It also demands a maturity, independence and strength of commitment to assume personal responsibility for developing her understanding of this vocation and commitment to it. While dialogue supports it, the day to day living of this vocation is an independent one, demanding a firm and courageous commitment.
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