"...show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you." Psalm 143:8b

The call to a religious vocation seems to come to each of us differently.  Some seem "always to have known" that this was where they belonged.  Some find, with jaw dropping astonishment, that they are drawn to this way of life -- even though they consider themselves (and may be) the most unlikely of aspirants.  But for those who have a religious vocation, somehow, sometime there comes a sense of something like invitation, and we find in ourselves an answering response.

The process of entering the religious life is normally a gradual one, designed to provide time for both the aspirant and the Community to "test the waters" -- to come to know one another, and begin a time of discernment. In our Community, this period of discernment usually begins with a visit to our Motherhouse, in Cincinnati, Ohio.  If there comes a time when both the aspirant and the Community agree that she is ready to become a Candidate, the aspirant will complete the application process and begin a closer relationship with the Community.

Candidacy is a period of about a month.  During this time the Candidate lives in the Convent guest area and wears her own clothes. She will attend the Holy Eucharist and the Divine Office, share some of her meals with the Community and be given a work assignment. Candidates may also be included in the Novitiate study program.

The remainder of the Novitiate includes one year as a Postulant and at least one and a half years as a Novice.  This is a time of "trying" a vocation.  Some who come enjoy the Community, learn more about themselves and then find that God is calling them to another way of life. Their presence with us enriches the life of the Community and, we hope, theirs as well. Often our relationships with them continue for many years.  Those who remain for First Profession make their vows on a temporary basis for a period of at least one and a half years.  At the end this period of formation, the First Professed Sister may ask to make life vows.

So -- if you are exploring a sense of vocation to this way of life and need a listening ear, more information or help in your discernment, please contact us. 

An aspirant must be free of obligation, and a member in good standing of a Church that is part of the Anglican Communion. To become a Novice, one must be at least 21 years of age.  Although we consider the application of each person prayerfully and individually, we have found that candidates between the ages of 25 and 35 seem to bring both maturity and flexibility to the formation process.  If you would like more information about life in our Community or have questions that have not been addressed above, please contact our Novice Guardian:

Novice Guardian
Community of the Transfiguration
495 Albion Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(513) 771-5291
E-Mail: Smeeant@Yahoo.com