There are a number of stages in becoming an OLA Sister. The first stage is the period of enquiry, (Aspirant) followed by a formal period of living with the Sisters and learning more about the life and work (Postulant).

Following these early stages of enquiry and searching, is the stage of formal training which is called 'Novitiate'. This is followed by the period of 'Temporary Profession which ultimately leads to the final commitment in Perpetual Profession.

The Stage of Enquiry - Becoming an Aspirant

	For many young women, discerning God's call in their life can be frustrating and difficult. There is often a struggle between two equally good paths in life. In the first period of enquiry, interested young women are accompanied by an experienced Sister who can help guide them in becoming aware of the signs in their lives, enabling them to be more open to God's guiding hand. This stage is a very useful one for all young people, even if their discovery of God's call - their own vocation - does not in fact lead them to join a Religious Congregation. In a busy world, we are often not aware of simple steps we can take to deepen our prayer life and become more aware of God's presence and call in our life. If you would like help in discerning your path in life, or if you feel called to the Missionary Life in the OLA Congregation, please contact our Vocations Director, Sr. Gabrielle Farrell, on labyrinth@olaireland.ie

The Stage of Postulancy

	Following the period of enquiry and aspirancy, the young woman enters a more formal time of living the life by coming to live and work with the Sisters. As an International Missionary Congregation, sometimes this period is lived out in one of our missions abroad. It is an 18 month period, during which the young women will also become proficient in French, spending six months of their postulancy in a French speakiing OLA mission.

The Formal Training - Novitiate

	When a young woman successfully completes her period as a Postulant, she is then formally 'received' into the Congregation as a Novice. This formal training last for two years and is done in an international setting. Currently there are two international OLA novitiates - one in Ivory Coast for French speakers and one in Ibadan, Nigeria for Englsih speakers.

Temporary Profession

	After completing the two year Novitiate programme, the young woman then makes her First Profession, where she professes to live her commitment to the Consecrated Life for one year. For a period of between six and nine years there is a regular renewal of this commitment.

Final or Perpetual Profession

	At the end of this long journey in faith all the way from the early days of aspirancy through postulancy, novitiate and temporary profession, the young women feels called to make a permanent commitment and profess this commitment publically for life. It is a life of constant growth and renewal which does not stop with final profession.