INSTITUTE OF DIVINE MERCY
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We are a female lay institute of consecrated life operating in Poland, Brazil, the USA, Italy and Ukraine.

We do not live together but remain in our own environments trying to change the world from the inside with our daily prayer, work, attitude and testimony. All women who feel the vocation for consecrated life, but at the same time intend to carry on living and working in the secular world, staying in touch with their families are invited to have a look at our mission and the way we live.

The formation in the Institute of Divine Mercy


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Formation is a process of personal growth and preparation to follow Jesus in accordance with God's will and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in order to evince Jesus's love to the world.

The formation must penetrate deep into the inner self so that every attitude and deed, both of greater or lesser importance, could show our complete and joyful belonging to God. In the Lay Institute of Divine Mercy, candidates undergo formation in two stages with the guidance of an instructor and a group leader, or a delegated person.

  • STAGE 1

    • Stage 1 lasts two years and focuses on the discernment of the vocation for a consecrated life in the world, strengthening the personal bond with Jesus, accepting the direction of the Holy Spirit and learning the Divine Mercy spirituality. Candidates are gradually encouraged to live by the evangelic counsels and to join in the Institute community.

    The probationary period ends with taking temporary vows of chastity, poverty and obedience during the annual spiritual retreat..

  • STAGE 2

    • Stage 2 takes six years. It is a period of temporary vows repeated every year and it aims at preparing candidates to take perpetual vows. The focus is on the candidate's personal relationship with Merciful God in the Holy Trinity; adopting the spirituality of Divine Mercy; taking up an apostolate; working out an appropriate attitude towards the world; practising the evangelic counsels; and active participation in the Institute's life. At this stage candidates declare to complete a chosen form of religious education (e.g. studies in theology, spirituality or religious knowledge).

    The period ends with taking perpetual vows.

  • Ongoing formation

    • Since then each member becomes responsible for her own ongoing formation, which lasts until her death. This means remaining faithful to the obtained gift, perpetual conversion and following Jesus in a yet more perfect way by exercising the evangelic counsels and mercy in deeds.