Our new members include sisters who recently have taken final vows as well as those in the process of becoming School Sisters of Notre Dame. Learn more about our newest members and read what they have to say about their call to SSND by clicking on the link in each category below.

Perpetual Profession
Trusting in a faithful God, School Sisters of Notre Dame profess three vows: Consecrated Celibacy, Gospel Poverty and Apostolic Obedience in Community. These vows express the totality of our commitment to God and to the members of our SSND Congregation. For us, life in community is a giving and a receiving of love and respect, of trust, openness, sincerity and forgiveness. Through our presence to and for one another, through prayer, dialog and ministry, we become a community of one mind and one heart. Click here to meet Sisters Katie, Bridget, Kathleen and Sandra, who have recently professed their final vows.

Temporary Professed
At the end of the Noviate program, Novices express their first or temporary vows. These sisters have expressed their desire to dedicate themselves to God through First Profession and now enter into the heart of SSND life and learn to integrate the elements of prayer, community and ministry. Within a six-year period, they prayerfully discern if religious life is their heart’s deepest desire. During this time of preparation for Perpetual Profession, they come to know if the vowed life is the right choice for their life. Click here to meet our 16 Temporary Professed Sisters.

Novices
Novices spend time deepening their relationship with God. They study the theology of the vows and see how they impact the daily living of our lives. They learn skills for community life and study our SSND history and charism. At the end of the novitiate phase, they profess their first vows. Click here to meet our Novices in the United States and the District of Africa.

Postulants
Postulants are in a one to two year period in which they are having a first-hand experience of how they will live as a sister. Living in a local SSND community gives posutants greater insight into religious life and helps them to see whether it is a good fit for them. Postulants come together with SSNDs to share prayer, household tasks, ministry and leisure. They may continue going to school or maintain their present job. Postulants meet regularly with their directing sister. Click here to meet our Postulants in Kenya and Nigeria.

Affiliates
Affiliates desire to explore the call to religious life at a deeper level. During affiliation, they continue to discern God’s call and have opportunities to experience community life by living in several of the SSND communities for a week or two. This gives them a taste of how they would live as a sister. The time frame for this first step is six months to three years.

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