The candidacy period is designed to help a woman discern her possible call to the Adrian Dominican Congregation. The program follows a basic structure, but it is flexible enough to meet the needs of each candidate as she is prepared for mission.

After discernment with her director and the approval of the General Council, the candidate is formally received into the novitiate.

The novitiate years are designed to assist the woman in her discernment process by providing experiences that deepen her understanding and integration of Adrian Dominican life. Emphasis is placed upon deepening her contemplative life, study of the vows, ongoing theological reflection, and development of an understanding of mission within a global perspective.

One of the novitiate years is dedicated as a canonical year. The second novitiate year is dedicated to theological study, supervised ministerial experience and common life within the Dominican tradition. During these years, the woman relates to a director to continue the discernment process, and she lives in community and participates in the government structure through a Mission Group affiliation.

After mutual completion of the novitiate years and readiness for first profession has been mutually determined, the novice requests in writing permission for first profession.