How To Become an HM Sister

Have you ever wondered if God is calling you to religious life?

Do you feel attracted to a life of service and prayer in community?

Have you met Sisters who have inspired you?

We hope we can answer a few of your questions. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

May the Spirit guide and bless you in your journey!

1. What does it mean to be a sister?

"Drawn into a deepening relationship of love, we dedicate our lives to God and to service with and for others."

- HM Constitutions, No. 16

A Sister is a woman belonging to a religious community and living

a life given wholeheartedly to God through vows of poverty, chastity and obedience;
a life of prayer and spiritual growth that sustains her living and supports her ministry;
a life of sharing and celebrating with others in community;
a life of responding to a love that has chosen her.

2. What is religious life today?

"Our religious vocation is a call from God to a radical following of Jesus through vowed life in community."

- HM Constitutions, No. 14

Religious life is a whole-hearted response to God's love and invitation to identify totally with Jesus' mission of bringing abundant life to people who are poor or suffering.

3. What are the vows that religious make?

The three vows common to religious communities are Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.

The VOW OF POVERTY is a response to Jesus' invitation to "sell what you have and come follow me." It is a desire to live a simple, uncluttered life, free of attachment to material gain, so that we may commit our lives to the Gospel of Jesus.
The VOW OF CHASTITY is a response to God whose love has come to us so abundantly that we want to give all that we are in return. In chastity we make a choice not to marry and vow to pour ourselves out in tender and compassionate love for others.
The VOW OF OBEDIENCE is a commitment to listen for and respond to the voice of God spoken in our own hearts and through community as we discern choices and decisions that face us.

The vows deepen our relationship with God, sharpen our spiritual focus, and free us to respond with light and joy to God and God's people.

4. Why would anyone choose this way of living?

It's about love; it's about receiving an amazing invitation and saying "yes."
It's a heart response to a world crying out for help, for healing.
It's a way of becoming a fully alive, passionate woman, using her gifts for the world.
It's a way of being "yes."

5. How are HM Sisters different from other religious women?

Communities differ in the works they do, their charism or founding purpose, and their spirit or personality. Each community has a unique story of how and why they came to be which imparts a particular "flavor" to how they live, pray and minister together. Visit our Who We Are pages to learn more.

Where are the HM Sisters and what are they doing?

You will find us in many places from Ohio to Florida, from cities to suburbs, from Appalachia to Haiti.

Serving people most in need.

6. How do HM Sisters live?

"We bring to community our diverse cultural backgrounds and personal histories and, trusting in the unifying power of God's spirit, we commit ourselves to love one another."

- HM Constitutions, No. 61

We share life in community.
We spend time together in prayer, conversation and celebration.
We support one another in ministry.

"As life continues to be revealed, I remain in awe of God's gift of love through Community. Sharing spirituality, integrating experiences, and celebrating one another deepens my 'yes.'"

- Sister Barbara O'Donnell

7. How would I know if I were called to this life?

Pay attention to what is happening in your heart and in your life.

Are you growing in awareness of God in your life?
Do you desire to deepen your relationship with God?
Do you long to be part of something bigger…a group that is making a difference in the world?
Are you attracted to sharing your life with others who are on a spiritual journey?
Do you feel a growing compassion and desire to respond to the needs of others?

"Seeds planted during my formation are beginning to sprout as I meet the challenges of living more fully the life God gives me and working to bring about the fullness of life which Jesus promised for all, especially those who are poor."

- Sister Mary Stanco

8. What could I do if I'm considering religious life?

Spend regular time in prayer and listening for God's guidance.
Get a spiritual director/guide.
Talk with someone who is living the life.
Attend vocation discernment days or retreats.
Get to know various communities and talk with the sisters.

9. What are the steps in becoming a Sister of the Humility of Mary?

Meet with someone on the HM Membership Team

to help you see if there is a growing connection with our community's spirit and mission;
to explore your questions;
to reflect on God's movement in your life;
to grow in self-knowledge.

Contact information:
HM Membership Team:

Sister Toby Lardie, HM
Phone: 440.356.5711
Email: tlardie@hmministry.org

Sister Cheryl Rose, HM
Phone: 440.356.6130
Email: crose@hmministry.org

Sister Carla Rutter, HM
Phone: 724.964.8920 ext. 3075
Email: crutter@humilityofmary.org

The path to becoming an HM Sister

Pre-candidacy: usually 6-12 months

An initial period of discernment
Regular meetings with a sister from the HM membership team
Formal application process
Visiting community members
Live-in experiences
Spending time at Villa Maria Community Center

Candidacy: usually 1-2 years

Living with and participating in the life of a small group of HM Sisters
Continuing your current studies or employment
Learning more about our life and mission
Getting to know more members of the community

Novitiate: 2 years

Deepening your relationship with God through prayer, reflection and spiritual direction
Learning about vowed life
Deepening your theological foundation
Volunteering in ministry (part time)
Exploring our community history, charism and ministries

Temporary profession: 3-6 years