Current members of the various orders of Perpetual Indulgence, as well as friends and potential members, may have noticed that the structure of the Toronto Order, and the process of attaining Sisterhood, appeared much less formal. It was certainly a quicker process than now, but I don’t believe the fully-professed Sisters from the early days (regardless of Chapter) were any less committed to the principles of Perpetual Indulgence; the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt.
During the 1980s the Toronto Order, indeed the world of Perpetual Indulgence, was quite new and still developing. According to Grand Mother Vicious Power Hungry Bitch (Founder) the Order’s first manifestation was in the summer of 1979. During the 1980’s the only Official OPI houses were the San Francisco ‘Mother House’, the Sydney (Australia) Order and the Toronto Order. Although there were similar groups springing up, use of the ‘Perpetual Indulgence‘ name was strictly limited.
Of course things change; there are now officially recognized Perpetual Indulgence Orders, Houses and Missions around the world. With that growth in numbers, and the recognition of Perpetual Indulgence as a contributing force in many communities, the path to fully-professed Sister has changed.
During the 1980s the Toronto Order did not follow the current practice of having potential novices be ‘sponsored’ by a fully-professed Sister, or their being required to produce, host or sponsor a community event. This reflects real differences in the world and the growth of Perpetual Indulgence.
Many Houses and Missions now recognize callings outside of Sisterhood; Guards and Saints being perhaps the most often used terms. During its active period, the Toronto Order had an unofficial list of ‘Friends of the Order’ which could be counted on to attend events and provide moral support.