The process of becoming a member of a religious order is rigorous. It isn't like joining a club. It isn’t even like joining a church. It’s a long and winding journey of finding out whether you have a  calling to vowed religious life in this particular dispersed community. Here are the various "rings" of our dispersed Lutheran Franciscan community.

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Friends of the Order: Friends of the Order are those who are called to accompany the sisters and brothers of this Order with prayer, financial support, advocacy, and through participation at events and gatherings of the Order. Friends can be either permanent, or transitionary - moving to postulancy after a period of at least six months. Read more here.

 

Postulancy: This is the formal inquiry process that includes a minimum of 12 months learning more about the Order and its Rule and practices, completing simple formation reflections, and growing in relationship with the siblings of the Order. 

 

Novitiate: This is the on-going formation period, of at least five years, where siblings make annually-renewable vows as a Novice. These years include intentional formation as Lutheran Franciscans around the three vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, as interpreted by the Order.

 

Life Profession: This is the permanent, lifelong commitment to the Order of Lutheran Franciscans, with all the rights and responsibilities of such profession. Siblings are fully "members" of the community, and formation is considered ongoing for the rest of each sibling's life.

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Those who are accepted into the life of the Order of Lutheran Franciscans commit to the General Rule which calls its siblings into a way of life that includes: three vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, as interpreted by the Order, active participation in an ELCA congregation, daily prayer, weekly Eucharist, monthly spiritual direction, biannual confession, and yearly participation at Annual Chapter and other gatherings.