We are excited to share with you a new video on the stages of initial formation of the Daughters of Jesus. In previous publications we shared an interview with the novices of the Dominican Republic, on the occasion of having lived the month of Spiritual Exercises, we also took a look at the Second Stage Juniorate in the Indian Pacific Province . Now we want to offer an in-depth look at the first stage of the International Juniorate of the Daughters of Jesus in Granada, Spain.
The juniorate is a crucial stage in our formation, which begins after our first vows. Its fundamental objective is to help us continue to grow in our vocation in order to be able to make perpetual vows. It also prepares us for the mission of the Congregation through studies, community life, spiritual life and various apostolic experiences.
This training stage is developed around four important aspects:
1. Training
This is the main aspect of the first stage. The junior sisters systematically deepen their knowledge of the Constitutions and the spirituality of the Congregation, contrasting theory with life and experience. A central component is the study of theology at the Faculty of Theology in Granada, part of the Jesuit Loyola Andalucía University, in Granada, Spain.
2. Apostolic Activities
Each juniora has a different apostolic commitment. The choice is discussed with the formator, taking into account the pastoral needs of the environment, personal concerns and the preparation of the juniora.
3. Community Life
Community life is carried out with other junior sisters and perpetual sisters, and all contribute to the life of the community, responsibly assuming different services, such as liturgy, cooking, cleaning, and community prayer. Everything is based on fraternity, service and the responsibility of building the community together.
4. Spiritual Life
The spiritual life is cultivated in a communitarian and personal way. Vespers is shared daily. There is a monthly retreat, and every 15 days they share the Eucharist in community. Once a year, they have the experience of the spiritual exercises.
On a personal level, the junior sisters are responsible for including in their schedule the Eucharist, an hour of prayer and the daily examen, an exercise of discernment to recognize the presence of the Lord in their day.
The juniors share their experience in the video and we hope it will help you to learn more about this first stage of the Juniorate. We invite you to enjoy the video and to accompany our juniors with prayer in this fundamental stage of their formation in Granada!
