FORMATION The primary objective of formation is to discover one’s vocation and to shape one’s life in accordance with the Charism and Spirit of the institute. The formee responds to the grace of God adequately and embraces her mission with enthusiasm. The formation of a Bethany Sister (BS) is a Faith journey that involves six key stages:

1. Affiliate/Candidacy

The Candidate discovers her call to follow Jesus in Bethany through human and Christian formation. It is a time to get acquainted with the Institute and acquire academic standard for further formation.(1-3 years)

2. Pre-Novitiate

During this time a pre-novice confirms her desire to be a true follower of Jesus in Bethany. she gets acquainted herself with the life and mission of the Congregation and prepares herself for next stage of her formation. ( 1 year)

3. Novitiate

This is a time the Novice grows into the knowledge of and intimacy with Jesus through a process of inner transformation which leads her to make whole-hearted commitment to Jesus through the evangelical counsels as the handmaid of the Lord for God’s work according to the charism and spirituality of the Congregation. (2 years)

4. Juniorate

During this stage of formation, the Junior Sister learns to deepen her intimacy with the Lord; to grow in the Charism and Spirituality of the Congregation. She continues to integrate prayer, community life and mission as a Bethany Sister. (5-9 years)

5. Tertianship

This is the time to experience deeper intimacy with Jesus; a time to revisit the foundational experiences leading to self transformation for greater and lasting commitment to Jesus Christ in and through Bethany. (6-9 months)

6. Ongoing Formation:

Ongoing-formation ensures that a Bethany Sister continues to grow in her intimacy with God, and continues to take personal responsibility to further her growth in all areas and thus becoming ever more fully the person that God wants her to be.