Application and Membership Process
Links to an application form is found at the bottom of this page.
Those desiring to be admitted into the Fellowship will make application with the Directors. The application process includes:
- Application Form (to be sent to the Vocations Steward)
- Spiritual Autobiography
- Letter of Intent (why does the applicant want to become a member of the Fellowship and what contribution will he/she bring to its life and ministry?)
- Read one book from a list provided by the Formation Director on Celtic Spirituality and write a reflection on it. If well read in the Celtic tradition, the applicant may write a paper about what draws her/him to this tradition and how it affects his/her devotional life.
- Approval of her/his Ecclesial Authority (Bishop) The Fellowship will contact your Bishop with a letter of introduction, and after the Aspirant has met with his/her Bishop the Fellowship will request a formal letter ofrecommendation.
- Approval of her/his local Priest or Pastor The Formation Guardian will contact your parish priest asking for a letter of recommendation.
- Approval of her/his Spiritual Director The Formation Guardian will contact your spiritual director asking for a letter of recommendation.
- Meeting with the Directors of the Fellowship
- Meeting with the Anamchara of the Fellowship (by phone if not in person)
- Criminal Background Check, which is done by the Fellowship, but at the expense of the Aspirant.
- Completion of "Safe Church" training (Safeguarding God's Children/People) The aspirant must make arrangements in their own diocese for the completion of this program, sending proof of completion to the Directors.
- Annual Gathering. The Fellowship's annual Gathering (Formation time, retreat and Chapter) occurs every year around Trinitytide. An Aspirant must attend at least one Gathering before consideration will be made concerning Clothing as a Novice. This might result in the timeframe that a person will be an Aspirant for well more than a year.
Once a person has met all the requirements of the application process, and been in fellowship with the community for at least 6 months, and has attended the Annual Gathering, he/she will be considered for advancement to the rank of Novice. As the Formation process begins, the Aspirant will be assessed and eventually assigned and "Anamchara" from among the Professed Members, to help guide the Aspirant and/or Novice in their continued discernment of vocation.. This Novitiate will continue for 18 month to 3 years, to be determined by the Abbess/Abbot, the Formation Director, and the Aspirant's Anamchara. The Novice Clothing would ideally happen within the parish of the Aspirant, unless circumstances are unfavorable for such a venture.
A member of the Fellowship must be self supporting, and be able to make at least a small pledge of financial support to the operation of the Fellowship. Another major consideration for membership is the requirement of attending the Annual Gathering each year, at their own expense.
After the completion of the initial Formation period, an election by the Professed members of the Fellowship will be called. If the Novice is elected he/she will make preparations for the Profession service, in consultation with the Directors of the Fellowship. The Novice would normally make their Profession of Vows at a Gathering of the Fellowship rather than in their own parish.
Application Forms
Click here to see the form in a word-processing format. This form can be pasted into your e-mail program, filled out, and e-mailed to us. Or, it can be printed and mailed in.
Click here to see the form in PDF format. This form can be printed, filled out, and mailed in.
Biographies of Current Members and Aspirants
Professions of Vows: Recent photos and descriptions