Apostolic - Involved in some form of service of others. Baptism - Sacrament of Initiation in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Community Charism - A gift of the Holy Spirit, granted to a person or persons for the common good of the Church. It is proper to speak of the "charism" of the Founders and the "spirit" of the Company. Community - A group of Daughters of Charity who live together for the sake of the mission. Confraternities - Groups of women who joined together as "Ladies of Charity" to serve the poor in an organized manner. Discernment - The process of prayerful reflection to discover where God is leading. Eucharist - Sacrament in which bread and wine is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. Formation - The spiritual, human, and professional development of each Sister. The Constitutions state "Formation in the Company has as its aim the development of each Sister so that, animated by the spirit of the Founders, she may be able: to be a servant of Christ in the poor and the poor in Christ; to live a fraternal life in common for the Mission, according to the Constitutions; to acquire convictions that will strengthen her in her total giving of self to God." Liturgy of the Hours - From the Catholic News Service Stylebook on Religion (Copyright 1990) The preferred term in the Latin rite for the official liturgical prayers sanctifying the parts of each day. - The Daughters of Charity pray the morning and evening prayers, as part of their prayer ritual. Marguerite Naseau - The first daughter of Charity. Nicholas du Chardonnet - Church where St. Louise de Marillac had her "enlightenment," which gave direction and focus to her life. Postulant - A stage of initial formation in which a woman experiences living an apostolic life in common. She continues her human and spiritual formation. It is a time for the Daughters of Charity to become acquainted with the woman who wishes to become a part of the Company. It is a minimum of one year in duration. Pre-postulancy - A time specifically reserved for vocational discernment. The purpose is to help a woman ask if God is calling her to religious life and it is characterized by a deepening of her Christian life and approach to the life of the Daughters of Charity. Religious - Websters' New World Dictionary description: 1. Characterized by adherence to religion or a religion; devout, pious, godly. 2. Of, concerned with, appropriate to, or teaching religion. 3. Belonging to a Community of monks, nuns, etc. Sacraments - From the Catholic News Service Stylebook on Religion Copyright 1990) - Religious rites. The Catholics recognize seven: the Eucharist (called the Lord's Supper by Protestants), baptism, confirmation, penance (now often called the sacrament of reconciliation), matrimony, holy orders and the sacrament of anointing the sick. Seminary - The name given to the novitiate; this time is characterized by reflection and prayer. The Seminary enables a Daughter of Charity to intensify her theological life, to integrate the values of service, the total gift to self to God and a life in common, and to familiarize herself with the practice of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience in a state of charity. (C.3.10) Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph - The name first given to the Community founded by Elizabeth Ann Seton. St. Elizabeth Seton - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) is the first native-born American saint. She founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph's in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 1850, this American Community was united with the Company of the Daughters of Charity. St. Louise de Marillac - St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) was proclaimed "Patroness of all those who devote themselves to Christian social works" by the decree "Omnibus Mater" of Pope John XXIII on February 10, 1960. St. Vincent de Paul - St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was proclaimed "Universal Patron of Works of Charity" by the pontifical brief "Cum Multa" of Pope Leo XIII on May 12, 1885. Vows - The Sisters ratify their gift of self to God by vows; Daughters of Charity make four vows: poverty, chastity, obedience, and service of the poor. The vows are annual and non-religious.
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