Community Profile

Congregation of the Divine Spirit Vocation Directress 711 E. Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16504 814-825-2724 www.sempercaritas.org

Community Information

No. in community (professed members) 27 Year founded 1956 Generalate/ motherhouse Erie, PA Province/federation Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Erie, PA; Youngstown, OH

About Us

Mission statement/description The Sisters are an American foundation founded by Archbishop John Mark Gannon of Erie, Pennsylvania, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart in 1956, with Mother Patricia O’Connor as Founding Superior. The Congregation takes its name from the Divine Spirit to signify that the communion of love with God in Christ requires its members to have the greatest docility to Him, Who is the Spirit of Life. They regard the Blessed Virgin Mary as a wondrous model of docility to the Divine Spirit, under Whose guidance “she devoted herself entirely to the mystery of man’s redemption” (Presbyterorum Ordinis 18). The special object of the Congregation of the Divine Spirit is the active cooperation of its members in the propagation of the Catholic Faith, according to the spirit of the Founder, thereby aiding in the spiritual growth of the Christian family, and also of individuals and groups through education and religious instruction and care and advocacy for the aged. The Congregation will also participate in the life of the Church, in accordance with the spirit of their Founder and Founding Superior, to reawaken hearts to truth and to divine love. Qualifications for entry Any Catholic woman may be admitted, provided she is free from all legal impediments, gives indication of a right intention, is capable of fulfilling the duties of the religious life, and is accepted by the Mother General with the advice of the General Council. Formation program Candidacy, which remains fluid. Postulancy: 1 year. Novitiate: 2 years, the second allowing for time spent in the special ministry of the Congregation. Juniorate: 3 years of annual vows followed by a 2-year period. Perpetual profession and ongoing formation. Age range/limit 18-35 Consider belated vocations? Yes Belated/late vocations explanation Will give individual consideration for special circumstances.