What is an Alongsider?

Put simply, as its name suggests, an Alongsider is someone who spends a period of time living in community with OCMM.
 
Beginning to try and discover just what is God’s will for your life and what new steps you are being called to take can frequently be a mixture of excitement, frustration, and even confusion! Whether you are considering your call to the monastic life, planning a sabbatical, or taking time out from active ministry; spending time living alongside a religious community can often be a fruitful time of prayerful discernment of God’s will from within the lived experience of community life.
 
As an expression of their charism of prayerful presence and hospitality the Order of the Companions of Martha and Mary (OCMM) is happy to welcome women who wish to spend an extended period of time with the Sisters as an Alongsider. Alongsider visits can be for a minimum of one month to a maximum of three months (renewable monthly). Although such visits will not normally be extended beyond the maximum three months it may be possible to repeat an Alongsider experience at a later date. Before we would consider an Alongsider application we would expect that you would already have begun to develop a relationship with us and that you will have already spent time with the community as a day guest and/or retreatant. For those considering a call to our Order we would also expect you to have had a series of conversations with the Novice Guardian exploring your sense of call and have spent some time as an Enquirer. 
 
Considering applying as an Alongsider? 

Before you consider applying to be an Alongsider it might be helpful for you to think about some of the following points:

• How comfortable would you be in adapting yourself to living in community?
• How would your employer or diocese view a request for an extended period of leave?
• Do you have sufficient personal funds to cover a period of time as an Alongsider?
• If you think you have a call to the Religious life have you discussed your sense of vocation with your Spiritual Director/Soul Friend and/or your Diocesan Vocations advisor? 

What to do next?

Write a (hardcopy or electronic) letter to the Amma requesting an Alongsider initial information leaflet.