From the moment a Daughter of Jesus joins the Congregation until her perpetual profession, she follows a path of formation divided into stages: postulancy, novitiate, and juniorate—a journey designed to allow her vocation to mature and be confirmed step by step. The Final Probation is, precisely, the final stage of this journey: the time leading up to her definitive incorporation into the Congregation.
What the Constitutions Say
The Congregation’s own Constitutions clearly define the purpose of this stage:
“Before being permanently admitted to the Congregation, the Sisters will undergo another period of probation. This will help those who have devoted themselves to the studies and work proper to the Congregation to persevere in the school of affection, engaging, with joy and zeal, in those spiritual and physical activities that may lead them to greater humility and self-denial, as well as to a deeper knowledge and love of God.” (CFI 124)
In other words: after years devoted to the study and work inherent in one’s training, a different phase begins—one focused no longer on learning new things but on allowing oneself to be transformed from within, through affection and dedication.
The Constitutions also outline the two main themes for these months:
“They will devote themselves, in a special way, to the study and understanding of the Constitutions and all matters pertaining to the Institute, and they will make the Spiritual Exercises for one month.” (CFI 124)
And they add the ultimate reason for all of this:
“And so, having benefited themselves, they will be better able to help others, to the glory of God our Lord” (CFI 124).
How It’s Organized
The Guidelines and Supplementary Norms specify how this stage is carried out in practice. Admission to the Final Probation is granted by the Superior General, after consulting her Council and the provincial government, and lasts at least four months (DNC 69).
In order for this time to fulfill its purpose, the sisters are released from their usual activities, although apostolic contacts that may at some point be deemed appropriate are not excluded. And precisely because these are sisters with many years of congregational life behind them, the Guidelines emphasize that at this stage, more than at any other, their active and responsible participation should be encouraged (DNC 69).
A community-based, guided, and international experience
The sisters spend this time living together in the same house, under the guidance of an Instructor appointed by the Superior General after consulting with her Councilors (DNC 70). This sister must have a thorough knowledge of the Constitutions and the spirituality of the Institute, and possess the qualities necessary to provide guidance both on a personal and group level. (DNC 71).
This experience is often lived on an international level, which adds its own richness: the encounter with sisters from other cultures, the living experience of the universality of the Congregation, and the joyful practice of openness to other ways of living and believing.
In Circular Letter No. 52, the Superior General, Graciela Francovig, fi, announced the names of the junior sisters who were admitted to the final probationary period for 2026–2027. They are:
- Bermejo Samis, María Cristal. (Philippines)
- Cao, Cecilia. (Vietnam)
- Mónica Celina García Casañas. (Uruguay)
- Lin, Inma. (Continent)
- Nguyen, Ann. (Vietnam)
- Malaquias Rodríguez, Cintia. (Brazil)
- Santorce Piosca, Mary Mae. (Philippines)
He also appointed General Councilor Magda Zhang, fi, as the instructor for this group.
The Heart of These Months: Spiritual Exercises, Constitutions, and Self-Sacrifice
The month of Spiritual Exercises holds a central place: it is the time when each sister reexamines her journey as a Daughter of Jesus and comes to a deeper understanding of her vocation, strengthening the emotional commitment that will enable her to offer her life in perpetual profession.
From this perspective, the experience of self-denial also takes on meaning—not as an isolated exercise but as a constant, mission-oriented attitude. It is also time to return to the Constitutions and the writings of Mother Cándida, re-reading them with wisdom drawn from our own lived experience: rediscovering them as a concrete path to the Gospel.
A path we will continue to share
In the coming days, we will continue this series by getting to know the instructor who is guiding this period and, later, each of the seven junior sisters who are part of this Final Probation group.
Throughout the nearly six-month-long experience, we will also share the journey of those who accompany them: sisters and others who will lead workshops, exercises, and various activities that will help the goals outlined in our documents become a living dialogue with reality.
We invite the entire Madre Cándida Family to accompany them through prayer and solidarity, and to stay tuned for everything we will be sharing about this deeply meaningful phase.
