Persons discerning a vocation to Nasu Trappist Abbey are invited to visit us several times before actually entering our formation program. During these visits, the vocation prospect visits with the vocation director and the superiors. Together they identify and support the vocation. We also offer designated “Monastic Weekends” and arranged “Monastic Experiences” to assist women interested in our way of life.

A person whose initial application to our way of life is accepted is invited to share our life as a postulant, receiving initial instruction from the novice director and community for about two years.

After postulancy, a postulant receives the monastic habit and as a novice continues to share our way of life. A novice continues to receive special instruction through the guidance of the novice director for the two years of the novitiate.

A novice who desires to continue in the Trappist way of life applies to profess temporary vows. The period of temporary vows is five years. Through mutual discernment the period of temporary vows may be extended to a total of nine years. A sister professes vows of stability in the community, conversatio (ongoing conversion through the monastic manner of life), and obedience. The professed sister becomes more deeply rooted in the community following the call of the Gospel through our contemplative way of life. The sister in temporary vows continues to share our life of prayer and work.

After temporary vows, a sister may continue her commitment to follow Christ through the monastic manner of life by professing solemn vow. The sister in solemn vows commits herself to follow the Rule of Saint Benedict within her community for the rest of her life.