Each Associate undertakes a formation programme - usually under the guidance of the Director of Associates in a Province or Region. This programme is essential to the Associates entering into relationship with the Little Company of Mary.

At the completion of the initial process, the Associate is received into the programme during a paraliturgy, and makes an individual response. She or he is given a copy of the Associates Handbook.

At the completion of the next stage of formation, the Associate makes a commitment and the Congregation responds with a commitment to the Associate. The Associate also receives the emblem proper to the LCM Associates

The Associates commit themselves to live the Charism of the LCM for one year, in three specific areas:

• Deepening of personal and communal prayer life
• Participating in LCM Community celebrations on special occasions
• Extending the Spirit of the LCM into their ministries.
• Associates evaluate their convenant annually, in discernment with their LCM Companion.

Stages of Formation.

1. Sharing the stories: Exploring the journey: Through shared interaction the Associate and LCM learn the journey each has travelled and of the journey of the Little Company of Mary
2. Journeying together in faith: The meaning of the Christian life and our baptismal consecration - and our responsibility to live the gift received, including the nature of the church, its role and place in the lives of its members.
3. The nature of charism: An exploration of the nature and meaning of Charism and charisms in the life of the Church and within religious orders.An exploration of the life and charism of the founder and of the charism of the institute.
4. The journey within: The meaning and purpose of prayer. Prayer as a relationship. Prayer as response.
5. Journeying together as companions of Mary: The role of Mary in our lives and spirituality as LCMs, the role of Mary in the Church, in the teachings of the Church fathers/councils/Mary Potter.
6. Journeying together in Mission: The meaning of “mission”. The mission of the church as our mission. Our lives as “Marian missionaries”.
7. Called and chosen: The meaning of vocation. The vocation of an LCM Associate and the overarching LCM vocation in the wider church. Mission and ministry as part of our call to “be” for God and the world.

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