Formation

Discover your way of serving

Formation is a time to get to know the Community, grow in faith and discern freely how you are called to serve.

Lay life: Formation shaped by family, work and a person’s state of life
Religious life: Distinct paths for religious men and women
First step: A conversation with the Community

Getting started

Begin by getting to know MLCC

The statutes describe newcomers learning about the Community’s life and ministry while discerning whether they are called to it. A conversation, a visit arranged with the Community, or participation in an announced gathering can help you begin. Asking about formation does not commit you to membership.

A speaker on a stage beside a screen showing a passage about the Community’s Aspirants

Two paths

Lay membership and religious life

Young members of the Community in white shirts, smiling together in a chapel

Lay life

Lay membership

Lay members share the Community’s spirituality and mission while responding to the responsibilities of their state of life. The statutes distinguish full members and associates, with different ways of taking part in formation and service. Full membership is described as possible both living in and living outside a community house; associates live outside it.

Lay commitment and religious vows are distinct. The statutes describe aspirancy and postulancy in preparation for commitment, and distinguish commitment to community from commitment to ministry. The Community will help you understand what each means for your circumstances.

Sisters and members kneeling and sitting in quiet prayer in a small chapel

Religious life

Religious vocations

The documents describe paths for religious women — sisters and nuns — and religious men — priests and brothers, with contemplative life also discussed in the Rule. Formation prepares a person for community life and service, with religious profession expressed through vows.

Postulancy is described as a period of personal growth and discernment: getting to know one’s gifts, the Community’s charism and the demands of the vocation. Speak with the Community about the religious paths currently available and the formation appropriate to them.

What formation nurtures

Four sides of one life

Spiritual life
Scripture, personal and communal prayer, the Eucharist and learning from Mary.
Human growth
Self-knowledge, maturity, freedom and responsible relationships.
Community life
Fellowship, mutual support, shared responsibilities and discernment.
Apostolic life
Learning to serve others and to take part in the Community’s mission.

Step by step

A path discerned together

The documents describe formation leading towards temporary and lasting commitments or vows, according to the person’s vocation. Progress involves discernment with those responsible for formation. It is a personal response, supported by the Community.

The surviving formation guides differ in their diagrams, terminology and timing. This introduction therefore does not set a fixed sequence, length of formation or admission checklist. Ask the Community for the current guide for lay members, religious women or religious men.

A member of the Community setting a crucifix beside a statue of Our Lady on a table

Coming to see us

Before a visit

Contact the Community to arrange a conversation and ask where to go, whom to meet and what to bring. Visiting, a residential stay and admission to formation are different arrangements; each should be discussed directly.

You can also read about our spirituality, explore our prayers or find a community near you.

Begin by getting to know MLCC

Lay membership and religious life

Lay life

Lay membership

Religious life

Religious vocations

Four sides of one life

Spiritual life

Scripture, personal and communal prayer, the Eucharist and learning from Mary.

Human growth

Self-knowledge, maturity, freedom and responsible relationships.

Community life

Fellowship, mutual support, shared responsibilities and discernment.

Apostolic life

Learning to serve others and to take part in the Community’s mission.

A path discerned together

Before a visit