The formation program also aims at cultivating an awareness of the uniqueness of the Dominican system of government which requires the ordered and responsible participation of all in striving to achieve the aims of the order. Finally, a knowledge of the various branches of the Dominican family and the relationship which springs from our common origin, spirit and goals is communicated to those in formation. Of special import is the manner of the nuns' association with the 'holy preaching' of the friars, sisters and laity of the Order. Preparation for this consecration normally involves a one year postulancy, a two year novitiate, and four or more years in temporary vows. Because of the radical nature of the vocation admission and formation in Dominican monastic life is a long slow process.
Great care is exercised in the admission process.
This requires sufficient personal contact with the candidate over a period of time, particularly on the part of the mistress of novices, so that an informed judgment can be made by both the candidate and the community. Following an initial contact period of at least six months a candidate may be invited to make an aspirancy. The aspirancy is a period of time which a woman, who manifests positive indications of a call to our life, spends within the enclosure for the purpose of further discerning that call. It gives the candidate a practical experience of daily life in the monastery and tests her aptitude for it before she makes the personal arrangements necessary before entering the postulancy. The aspirant is under the direction of the mistress of novices and participates to some extent in the common life of the monastery and the novitiate.