In discerning a vocation, sometimes one’s imagination comes into play, thinking about how life may be for the candidate after entrance. What will it be like to have a Formator? How about prayer? What does formation mean anyway?
St Jane de Chantal, Foundress of the Visitation, (Feast Day Aug. 12) gives some clues in her book of Answers.
“in the case of souls which are not yet trained to the spiritual life, as are generally persons who come from the world, the directress must ground them in the knowledge and distrust of themselves, making them go through the meditations which are in Philothea (Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales); and even they who are advanced must be made pass through this exercise on this occasion; and often during the year of the novitiate, she will do very well to make them read the books which treat of this subject.
The Superiors and Novice Directresses ought to be very careful to give matter enough on these occasions of retreats, to occupy the minds of those who cannot do this of themselves, observing not to overload them and to recommend to them always simplicity in the Lord. They who know how to occupy themselves well or whom our Lord occupies, are to be left free to go their way. (p 310-311)
Let’s unpack this.
Your formator, or Novice Directress, will first gauge the level of your spiritual development, especially in the light of the charism of the Visitation Order.
If you have done little “inner work” you may not know yourself well, and this will be a primary task in the early stages of formation. All new members will come to read and know the essential work of our Founder, St. Francis de Sales, called the Introduction to the Devout Life. It will be studied in formation class. Though geared to the laity, it holds spiritual truths valuable for all, especially beginners in the spiritual life and beginners in religious life.
Religious life enhances and takes to the next level a well- formed spiritual lay life. If still underdeveloped, it needs to grow strong before a true commitment to monastic life can be made.
The Formator will guide you in areas that you may have been self-reliant in as a layperson. That means the books you read as well. You are giving yourself over to be formed as a Visitandine, so let your guide lead you. Prepare your inner disposition to receive the wisdom the directress has to offer.
Retreats are another area which are under the guidance of your formators. Notice however that once again the depth of your personal choice is nuanced by the level of your spiritual development. Salesian spirituality is well balanced and sensitive to the person in formation. If you are more advanced, that state will be respected.