POSTULANCY Upon completion of the interviews and with the recommendation of the vocation team, an invitation is extended for entrance into the community as a postulant. The affiliate moves into the Formation Building, and begins living the monastic life. Postulants attend classes on various aspects of monastic life: The Rule of St. Benedict , Scripture, monastic spirituality and history, community history, and many other courses geared to provide the solid foundation necessary for living in a monastic community. The postulants also spend a few hours each day working at assigned duties and tasks within the monastery. The formation director meets frequently with each postulant, and there are occasional meetings with the Prioress. The postulancy period is a time of getting to know more fully all the Sisters, experiencing the charism of the community, growth in prayer life, and development of discernment skills. During this time the community is also in discernment regarding your living the monastic life with them. Postulancy is a nine month program, beginning in September and ending the following June. NOVITIATE  In June, after successfully completing the postulancy, a two year novitiate program begins. During these years, the novice continues her work and studies, and continues to seek God's will in prayer and discernment. By attending and participating in Federation and area workshops, retreats and conferences, St. Scholastica novices meet women in formation from other monastic communities. At the end of this two year period, novices go before the community to request admission to Temporary Profession. TEMPORARY PROFESSION During Evening Praise the novice promises obedience, stability and fidelity to the monastic way of life. A silver community pin is presented as a sign of the novice's commitment. During temporary profession, which lasts at least three years, the new sister works in a ministry compatible with her talents and training. Educational possibilities exist, and she spends time discerning her future commitment and ministry. PERPETUAL PROFESSION Following completion of temporary profession, the sister again addresses the community. This time she requests admission to perpetual profession. At this ceremony, during a Mass, she promises to spend the rest of her life living out her monastic profession within the community of St. Scholastica. A gold ring is presented as a sign of this commitment. The sister is now a full member of the community. She will be officially commissioned to ministry in the monastery, ministry on a mission location, or possibly asked to further her education in a field she and the community agree upon. The new fully professed sister continues to listen to God in all areas of her life, along with all her sisters in community.