J.C. writes: What happens if someone joins and then realizes it was a mistake? Or, maybe not a mistake... but sometimes life changes, and then you discover you're not where you thought you were. (Hope that makes sense!)

S. Mary Lee responds: Actually that would not be a mistake, the whole process of pre-entrance, entrance and formation is a time of on-going discernment, so as God makes the direction more clear, things might change....no mistake

J.C. writes: But sometimes life changes, and then you discover you're not where you thought you were. (Hope that makes sense!)

S. Mary Lee responds: Becoming a sister is a extended process with much discernment and prayer. However the total discernment is NOT expected to occur before beginning the journey. The discernment continues without any obligation as an affiliate, candidate, and novice. A woman can stop or leave at any point during these stages if she discerns it is not for her.

After completing the novitiate, a sister takes first vows for one, two, or three years. This is the first time in her formation experience when she has a commitment by church law. This commitment is for the period of her vows – one, two, or three years.

Presuming a sister does not choose to leave when her first vows expire, she will renew her temporary vows until she is ready to make a decision concerning perpetual vows. As each renewal expires, she again makes a choice to stay or leave.

When a sister has a minimum of five years and a maximum of nine years in temporary vows she can request to take perpetual vows. This is when she says yes forever (the same way that a bride says yes for life on her wedding day). She will have lived the life of a Salvatorian for at least eight years (and perhaps as many as twelve).