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 Associates,
men and women, married and single, join the community for a variety
of reasons. Some have known the Sisters for a long period
of time; others
meet a Sister or and Associate and express a desire to know
more about
the community. Some have joined because a friend from their
local parish
community invited them. There are former members of the
vowed community
who continue to feel drawn to living the Passionist charism
in a significant
way, and choose to become Associates. Couples join the program, too.
Sometimes, couples may come together and make their covenants at the
same time. In other cases, one spouse may covenant years
after another.
Associates
are drawn together in this community to share with and
support one another
as they carry out their mission in the Church, which they
find expressed
in the charism of the Sisters and of St. Paul of the Cross.
Each member
has a different story to tell,but each story seems to have a common
thread of trying to understand and participate in the
Passion of Jesus.
Associates journey with the suffering of this world and try to help
everyone they meet to know God's love.
 Some
members work directly in ministry with Passionist Sisters;
others work
in their parishes, in schools, in offices, in hospitals. Some have a
ministry of prayer for the members of the community. What
attracts all
of them to the Associate way of life is a loving community
that embraces
the Passionist charism.
When
the first Associates were invited to begin forming the
community, there
was an informal orientation program. As the number of
candidates started
to grow, the program became more formal. photo: first Associates
Covenant - November 19, 1996
Most
candidates spend two years discerning their call. They
learn about Mother
Mary Joseph (Elizabeth) Prout, the foundress of the order. They study
the history of the Sisters, particularly in the North
American Province,
their mission today and the charism of Saint Paul of the
Cross
The
second year brings more emphasis on discernment. Candidates
meet together
in small groups with a Sister and an Associate who
coordinate the formation
program. And they have the opportunity to participate in
larger community
gatherings.
next:
more about the community
also
in this issue:
The
Passionist Laity
Passionist
Oblates in Kentucky • Community
of Passionist Partners
Mission
Fulfillment - Saint Paul of the Cross Province
home
page for this issue • act with
Compassion
directory of past issues
email
questions or comments
Copyright
2002 - all rights reserved - Passionist Missionaries of Union City,
NJ, USA
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