The Order of Secular Servants of Mary (OSSM) is a vocation within the Church for those who desire to follow Jesus Christ more closely while living the spirituality and charism of the Servants of Mary in the ordinary circumstances of life.
The Rule describes the Secular Servite vocation as a special calling within the Church. an invitation freely given by God and answered freely and consciously by the individual. This calling is rooted in our baptism and leads us to follow Christ and strive to bring the evangelical commandment of love to fulfillment in our lives.
Come and Get to Know Us
Discernment begins by encountering the community and learning what it means to be a Servant of Mary.
Those interested in the Saints Alexis and Juliana OSSM Community are invited to get to know us, experience our community life, pray with us, and learn more about Servite spirituality.
Our community gathers regularly for prayer, formation, fellowship, and mutual support. Community is an essential part of the Secular Servite vocation. Following the example of the first Christians, Secular Servites gather in fraternal communion to know and support one another as they journey together toward Christian perfection and the loving service of all people.
Begin a Period of Formation
Those who feel called to explore the vocation more seriously may request admission to a period of initial formation.
Formation is not simply a course to complete. The Servite Handbook describes it as a process intended to introduce a candidate to the life, vocation, and mission of the Secular Order. It includes participation in the community as well as study and prayer and lasts at least one year.
During formation, candidates explore the Rule of Life and learn about the history and spirituality of the Servite Order, the Seven Holy Founders, Mary as Mother and Servant of the Lord, prayer, fraternity, and the apostolic vocation of the Secular Servite.
Formation is also a time of discernment. It provides an opportunity for the candidate and community to discern whether God may truly be calling the person to live the Servite vocation.
Learn to Live as a Servant of Mary
Becoming a Secular Servite is about more than learning information about the Order. Formation gradually introduces the candidate to a way of life.
Following the religious experience of the Seven Holy Founders, Secular Servites learn to live in fraternal communion, render service to others, and draw abiding inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord. Through listening to Scripture, study, prayer, community life, and service, they deepen their understanding of their Christian vocation within both the Church and the world.
Mary holds a special place in this journey. Secular Servites look to her as a guiding image of simplicity, service, discipleship, and total dedication to God, honoring her especially as the Virgin of Sorrows.
Make the Promise
After completing formation and discerning the vocation, a candidate may request to make the Servite Secular Promise.
The Promise is a significant step. According to the Servite Handbook, making the Promise fully incorporates a person into the Servite Secular Order and the Servite Family. The request to make the Promise is made in writing.
Through the Promise, the Secular Servant of Mary voluntarily commits to remain faithful to his or her secular vocation and to maintain a living bond with the Order of Servants of Mary.
The Promise is therefore not the end of formation. It marks the beginning of a deeper commitment to living the Servite vocation throughout one's life.
A Vocation Lived Every Day
A Secular Servite remains a Servite not only during meetings, prayers, or Servite celebrations, but throughout ordinary life. As the Commentary beautifully explains:
“The Secular Servite remains a Secular Servite twenty-four hours a day. Everything is done in light of this calling; all actions flow from it.”
At home, at work, in the parish, among friends and neighbors, and in service to those who suffer, the Secular Servite seeks to radiate the love of Christ and offer a living witness of self-giving after the example of Mary.
Interested in Learning More?
If you feel drawn to Jesus Christ, Mary, the Servite way of life, fraternal community, and compassionate service, we invite you to begin by getting to know us.
You do not need to know whether you are called to become a Secular Servite before reaching out. Discernment is precisely the opportunity to pray, learn, experience the community, and discover whether the Servite way of life may be where God is calling you.
Come pray with us. Come learn with us. Come serve with us.
Perhaps you, too, are being called to become a Servant of Mary.
