Vocations

Meet the Candidates

(Click here for short bios)

Answering God's call to serve the poor and educate youth in
the spirit of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello

"A Sister's Story"

Candidates who express their desire to become a Salesian Sister are accepted into the

Formation Program in Bellflower, CA, where they are invited to spend specific times

with the Sisters in prayer, recreation, retreat, and ministry to the young.

	I.	Formation
		Candidates are taught many essential skills that help define what it means to become a Salesian Sister. Such classes may include the teachings of the Catholic Church, Salesian Spirituality, and ommunity life. The classes help the candidate discern what it means to live in community, as they grow together in their faith, their love for Mary, and their understanding of God's Call. The young women partake in weekly Formation classes with other candidates from various Religious Orders, engaging in discussions and sharing experiences of faith and community life,providing an educative experience that strengthens their unity with Church and broadens their sense of the Salesian charism.Italian is also studied since it is the common language of the Institute, knowledge of the language empowers each young lady with the ability to communicate with the Salesian Family internationally. Candidates acquire a deep sense of unity in prayer through active involvement with the local community, spreading devotion to Our Lady, Help of Christians. Moments of prayer with the Sisters provide real life experiences of the Salesian charism as a way of life.
	II.	Process of Discernment
		Discovery - This is a time to intensify the experience of Christian life by becoming part of a community that communicates Gospel values in a Salesian family atmosphere. Promise - This is the time of Postulancy, a time of immediate preparation for the Novitiate. A Postulant engages in personal growth and ministry experience. Commitment - This is the time of formal commitment that begins with the Novitiate. The Novice enters into an initiation of consecrated life in the Church as a Salesian Sister. By means of a serious study of religious life, of theology, and through ministry experience, the Novice learns to center her life in Christ, living and learning the spirituality of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. Service - The end of the Novitiate marks the time a Novice makes her first profession. She commits herself to live the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and freely chooses to unify her life with Christ, giving herself in service to youth in the spirituality of the Salesian charism. After a period of time, a Sister takes her perpetual or final profession. Constant renewal of faith and commitment continue through a Salesian Sister's lifetime. First Profession Day
	III.	Ap0stolic Works

		Community Outreach Pan de Vida - The Candidates assist in organizing, cleaning, and distributing food to many needy families of the parish in East Los Angeles. They spread the Good News to these families by their cheerful and giving attitude and their gifts of time and service. Education Marian Club - Spreading devotion to Our Lady, Help of Christians, is the main goal in having a Marian Club for many young girls. Participants share moments of prayer through drama, activities and song, and play an active role in the Liturgies of Marian Feast days. Their love for Mary is spread to the young through the positive witness of Jesus present in our lives. Teacher Assistance - The Candidates assist the teachers in monitoring the students at play during recess. They build relationships with the young in informal settings, reinforcing the values expressed in the spirituality of Saint John Bosco and Saint Mary Mazzarello. Religious Education School - The Candidates assist the catechists of the Parish in providing fundamental lessons on the Catholic Church, to help many young children grow in their awareness and love for God. In being actively involved in this ministry, Candidates serve the youth in the spirituality of the Salesian charism. Parish Ministry Parish Events - The Candidates participate in various Parish events and activities, such as retreats, workshops, and Liturgy planning to gain a better sense of community within the Catholic Church, and to deepen their faith in God's presence in their lives. If you are considering a vocation to religious life, consider contacting the Salesian Sisters. Sister Theresa Sironi, F.M.A. 9758 Foster Road Bellflower, CA 90706 Telephone: 562-866-0675 Fax: 562-804-6738 Website: www.salesiansisterswest.org e-mail: tsironi24@yahoo.com Sister Carmen Botello, F.M.A. 605 Enos Lane Corralitos, CA 95076 Telephone: 831-728-4700 Fax: 831-728-5518 e-mail: srbotellofma@aol.com First Profession Day