Despite their military prowess, the
Daughters of Verity are primarily a religious organization and so advancement through the "ranks" is called
formation rather than promotion, and is intimately tied to their charism of serving the workers of
the 'Dust Zone.
Differences Between the Daughters and Other Adepta Sororitas
Unlike other Orders of Adepta Sororitas, the Daughters of Verity do not recruit from the scholar progenium where drill abbesses identify suitable candidates at an early age. One of the Convents trains and examines them, determining if they are truly suitable to enter an Order of Sororitas and, if so, which one is suitable; the girl herself has little choice in the matter. Members of a particular Order sometimes transfer to other Orders (especially those in the Orders Militant who become too aged or infirm to fight). This is, of course, in keeping with the Imperium's lack of concern for the opinions of its citizens (and consistent with the Imperial Cult's theology of duty and self-sacrifice).
However, such beliefs and practices are anathema to the Daughters of Verity, who are all volunteers (although approved by
Verity herself, it seems). They see themselves primarily as a monastic religious order - a group willingly practicing a particular expression of the Imperial Creed communally and intensely - rather than a military force. Being drawn to the unique theological emphases, liturgical practices, customs, traditions and charitable practices - or "charism" - of the Daughters of Verity is the reason a candidate discerns membership. In many ways, this choice is like marriage; a person does not simply wish to "be married" - he or she wishes to be married to a particular person and another person will not do.
Each Daughter of Verity is drawn to this charism, and so they do not transfer Orders nor do they accept members from other Orders. Members unable to fight remain in the Order, educating or training, or cared for in their dotage.
The Path of Formation
Candidates come exclusively from the daughters of the 'Dust Zone workers, initially entering
postulancy after being a
student in one of the 'Dust Zone schools. If she is called by Verity, she will become a
novice, making formal vows after her novitiate and becoming a
professed Sister. If elected by her sisters, she may become a
Palatine or even
Canoness.
Most Daughters, however, will remain professed for their entire lives, never becoming Palatines or the Canoness. During military action, the Palatines and Canoness will select
Principes Autem Corpus from the professed to serve as leaders of a
corpus (the equivalent of a squad).
Some Daughters of Verity may be chosen to be
Seraphim and one will be selected to be the
The Metatrix. Those who are decorated by another branch of the Imperium's armed forces or the government of the Imperium itself are given the honorary title of
Celestian. A Sister who dishonors her vows will become a
Repentia in order to expiate her sin.
