Called to religious life? Questions

[Julia_Mae]

As for this calling, its so hard to believe God has allowed me to be pulled in this direction for so long…unless He lets this be, for His good reasons.

Did you ever buy sour grapes? They look ripe, but they aren’t ready either to eat or make wine. The intent is there for them to serve those functions, but they were picked too early and then are no good.

Maybe only God knows when you are ripe and now you feel Him tugging you off the vine.

 

[Mary_Francesca]

Julia Mae,

Was that an analogy? Whatever it is, it is great. Wow I cant even tell you. I have been using the “seed” example for a while, with the necessary rain and shine but I never thought of it as the grape and the vine.

This has been so helpful to me… Thank you so much. Its so true! I still have a bit of growing to do before God picks and uses me in which ever way He would like. I must be picked at the right time, I cannot force His hand nor would I want to.

Only He knows when I will be ripe. I feel Him tugging, so I will be awaiting Him in peace rather then anxiety, knowing that He will be taking me off this vine and putting me to the work He has set out for me in the right season.

I ask God to bless you and all who have been helping me.
Thank you so much!

 

[LJWTHOM]

+JMJ+

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nun. When I was a teenager, I fell away and lived a horrible life. God knocked me off my high horse about a year ago with the most incredible conversion. And then one day, I felt called to the Religious life and that was just…It. It has been 9 months since that day and it has only grown and my appreciation of the reality of it has matured. I have been on 2 retreats. The most recent one I stayed for the weekend at a convent and then was blessed to stay for a whole week to live the life with them. I believe this is what God is calling me to do.
I spoke to my spiritual director. I spoke to the Mother superior. All seems to be going well.
Then how come I’m becoming anxious…Scrupulous…? I keep finding reasons why this is not my calling… because:

1. I lived a horrible life, how could I be called?
   Does God call the poorest of sinners to be His bride?
2. Could the devil be tempting me away from such a call?
   Could I possibly be deceived into thinking I have a calling to the convent?

It’s hard to believe God would allow me to be deceived for so long…I think that He desires me to just say thank you and follow His will! ( Did I just answer my own questions?)

I am supposed to take my next step in joining the convent, very soon.
I think I’m just scared and need some advice.

If anything I ask whoever reads this to say a little prayer for my intentions.
Thank you and may God bless you !!!

Hey how are you?
I totally relate to what you just expressed!

I had a conversion to the faith when I was 17 which was 4 years ago now. About a year after my conversion I started thinking about religious life. Hopefully I will be entering next year. After I made the decision and sent my letter asking to be accepted into postulancy all these fears and anxieties came. I think that its totally normal. Just remember that the evil one will try and tempt you. Cling to God and pray that His will be done!

Pray for me and I’ll pray for you.
In Christ,
Sarah

 

[Mary_Francesca]

Hello! I am doing well, how are you? Its so good to talk to people who can relate to your situation, especially now a days when there seems to be so few! I love hearing conversion stories and vocation stories. It brings me such joy! God bless you and you stay clinging to Him too I will absolutely keep you in my prayers and thank you for yours!!! I think your right, the anxiety thing is probably just normal because its such a huge decision in life and were human! Its true the evil one will try and tempt me and you both, we just need to hold fast to Our Lord and Our Lady because they will protect us!

 

[Lamentation]

Please, will you pray for me? I will keep you in my prayers. God bless you.

Of course.

…also, with the part of being “knocked off your high horse”… Perhaps it is God’s way of humbling you. Goodness knows He has done a similar thing in my own life.

Out of curiosity though, which order are you looking to join?:nun2:

 

[Julia_Mae]

I would love to get a hold of the CS Lewis Screwtape Letters.

BTW, you get get this used for less than $2 on Amazon. If you are getting CS Lewis books, get The Great Divorce, too. It’s not about divorce! It’s about Heaven.

 

[Mary_Francesca]

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, Christmas time was so busy! I hope you all had a very blessed merry Christmas

Lamentation,
Thank you for your prayers! I am in such need of them. You are in mine. And Oh yes, He did and does humble me for I am in such need of that too! I am so thankful for what He has done for me and continues to do. We must be humbled! We are such prideful creatures. Its so wonderful He helps and loves us!

I am going to write you a message!

 

[Monica4316]

Oh my what a blessing this has been! Thank you all so very much.

Monica,
Saint Therese’s letter to her sister was inspirational. Its just what I needed to hear. The remedy for certain things I struggle with were basically within that letter.

I’m so glad to hear! the letter helped me a lot too. I think it’s all about putting our trust in God above ourselves, trusting that He loves us despite our “miseries” and - He is merciful precisely because of our unworthiness!

You know, you are right. Once I’m there it doesn’t mean the discernment process is over, in fact its really just beginning. I have years before I would make the final decision. It is all according to Gods will. His time is different then ours, I must keep reminding myself this!

yes

Thank God for the conversion He gave us! It looks like were in a similar situation. Your advise was so helpful to me. I hope this group or thread (whatever this is) will be helpful for you too! God knows if we have a religious vocation and if we do we must follow that. The evil one will tempt us away from our true calling so we must be aware of that and pray that God will guide us because He will! It seems to me that if somebody is drawn to the religious life…they most likely have been called. And just incase … we should atleast try! The Lord will show is in due time what is and what is not.

Thank you again and I will pray for you.

" What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a Shepard, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part.
Yet, what can I give Him? Give Him my heart!
What can I give Him? Give Him my heart! "

thank you for your prayers! Prayers for you also

I think it’s so important and beautiful to trust that God will fulfill the desires that He’s placed in us even if it’s differently than we thought. Regardless of what vocation it is, we can trust Him that it’s the right one for us.

and I love the song

 

[Monica4316]

Julia Mae,

“God gets to call whom He wishes in what way He wishes, we don’t get to second-guess Him.”
This is true…It really hit me hard, I wont forget this. I must learn to abandon my all into His hands. He knows what is best for me and I must never second-guess Him.

About that Liar… he does hate lives devoted to God. Our Lady of La Salette or was it Atika, where she warns that satan will try to ruin consecrated souls. Thats so scary but if God equips us to handle it…well then…I will not second guess Him. In the meantime, as I discern, I will not let that evil one draw me away from God. I know God allows me to be tempted in these ways to bring me closer to Himself (somehow!)

I do have plenty of time before and even while I’m there. The reminder has been helpful to me. What a relief!

Peace. Oh how I long for Gods peace! I have been anxious. In the convent I was happy and peaceful but since I have been second guessing and throwing myself under the bus I have not been at peace!!! I think once I stop relying on myself, and trust in God completely, I will have His peace.

I will trust in my spiritual directors. They do know what they are doing. I believe God will and is speaking to me through them.

Thank you so much! God bless you! I will remember you in my prayers.

trust and spiritual direction is big here and frequent Communion!

3Sanctus,

I would be very interested in reading those…Now in my life wouldn’t be the best idea, but maybe I will be ready for that one day! I am honestly a bit of afraidy cat

What I would do if I were you is pray to Saint Anthony to help you find the right person to speak with regarding spiritual direction, of course, after giving your whole endeavor over to God and asking His blessings! He will guide you to who He wants to be your director
I spoke to my parish priest, and at first I felt uncomfortable and nervous. I wanted to talk to somebody else. But through time I learned that God wants him to be my spiritual director, so I gave it another chance while trying to be resigned to His will and all is going very well!

I too am quite outgoing/social, yet I love the solitude in prayer and am drawn in such a way I cant explain! I too feel guilty leaving my mother and family in distress… But like they say “You will be more help there then here” But that would only be if God wills it. I would say, same goes for you. You should talk to a spiritual director about the call and of course, keep praying. Like the advice given to me , I think we should try to answer Gods call while begging Him to guide us to Him in which ever way He has planned for us.
I don’t know how I of all people am giving advice. If anybody has any criticism for me I’m open to it! I hope this helps you out though.
The way I see it is, if we think we are called, we should at least try to answer. If it is Gods will we will know, and if it is not…He will make it clear to us. What if He is calling us and we don’t answer at all? It seems it is better to try. We are His poor children and if we realize we are not capable of doing it alone and give ourselves to Our Father, He will be so pleased and carry us to Him, as the Good Shepard that He is.

May God bless you,

You will absolutely be in my prayers. Please keep me in yours!

I have the same fears about family. I don’t have any other option about all this but to trust. St Therese is a great inspiration here Have you ever read her book ‘Story of a Soul’? She’s a great friend to have especially in situations that make us nervous

God bless!!

 

[mckie]

Hi! I am a senior in high school and when I was a freshmen I first felt drawn to religious life. So freshmen through sophomore year were fine I felt drawn but I knew I could not do anything so I kinda just went along with stuff. Then junior year I took an apologetics class and I did not even know that I agreed with the Church on certain matters. Then this year, my senior year, I just feel that I am sick of the whole religious life thing being in my head. I just want to get rid of it but it doesn’t go away. I am not at peace and I feel like if it was what I was called to do then I would be at peace. But at the same time deep down I know that I still do desire it. But I can’t do anything now anyways…any advice?

 

[Monica4316]

Hi! I am a senior in high school and when I was a freshmen I first felt drawn to religious life. So freshmen through sophomore year were fine I felt drawn but I knew I could not do anything so I kinda just went along with stuff. Then junior year I took an apologetics class and I did not even know that I agreed with the Church on certain matters. Then this year, my senior year, I just feel that I am sick of the whole religious life thing being in my head. I just want to get rid of it but it doesn’t go away. I am not at peace and I feel like if it was what I was called to do then I would be at peace. But at the same time deep down I know that I still do desire it. But I can’t do anything now anyways…any advice?

Sometimes when God is calling us to something, we’re not at peace until we act on it. If you’re called to religious life, you might only feel true peace once you find the right order and apply.

 

[mckie]

I think that is true. I am pretty sure that I do know what order I would apply to. But I have talked to the vocation directer and she doesnt really like when people apply right out of high school. And I am fine with that. I am just now getting back on my feet with my faith. I took a detour and now I am trying to get back into the swing of things. But I just dont understand if I am not called to this life then why has it been in my head constantly for over 3 years? And if it is for me then why am I not at peace. I am fine with any vocation and I will do whatever God wants but its just hard and frustrating when I dont know what that is.

 

[Mary_Francesca]

pathsoflove.com/texts/alphonsus.html

Signs of a Religious Vocation

1. A desire to have a religious vocation, together with the impression that God is calling one to His service. This desire is generally most strongly felt when the soul is calm.
2. A growing attraction for prayer and holy things in general, together with a longing for a hidden life and a desire to be more closely united to God.
3. A conviction of the emptiness of the world and of its insufficiency to satisfy the soul. This feeling is often strongest in the midst of worldly amusements.
4. A longing to sacrifice oneself and abandon all for the love of Jesus Christ.
5. A longing for God’s glory, a realization of the value of immortal souls, and a desire to cooperate in their salvation.
6. A willingness to be received in any capacity is a proof of a real vocation.
7. The happiness which the thought of religious life brings, its helps, its peace, its merit and reward.
8. A desire to atone for sin, to make reparation.
9. A desire to devote one’s whole life to obtain the conversion of souls.
10. It is sometimes the sign of a vocation when a person fears that God may call him; when he prays not to have it and cannot banish the thought from his mind. if the vocation is sound, it will eventually give place to an attraction. Though st. Thomas Aquinas explains that one need not have a natural inclination for the religious life; on the contrary, a Divine vocation is suitable with a natural dislike for that state.

 

[Mary_Francesca]

The link - Paths of Love , is great and I highly recommend reading it.

I hope this will help you out!! You are in my prayers!!

 

[AMMontoya]

pathsoflove.com/texts/alphonsus.html

Signs of a Religious Vocation

1. A desire to have a religious vocation, together with the impression that God is calling one to His service. This desire is generally most strongly felt when the soul is calm.
2. A growing attraction for prayer and holy things in general, together with a longing for a hidden life and a desire to be more closely united to God.
3. A conviction of the emptiness of the world and of its insufficiency to satisfy the soul. This feeling is often strongest in the midst of worldly amusements.
4. A longing to sacrifice oneself and abandon all for the love of Jesus Christ.
5. A longing for God’s glory, a realization of the value of immortal souls, and a desire to cooperate in their salvation.
6. A willingness to be received in any capacity is a proof of a real vocation.
7. The happiness which the thought of religious life brings, its helps, its peace, its merit and reward.
8. A desire to atone for sin, to make reparation.
9. A desire to devote one’s whole life to obtain the conversion of souls.
10. It is sometimes the sign of a vocation when a person fears that God may call him; when he prays not to have it and cannot banish the thought from his mind. if the vocation is sound, it will eventually give place to an attraction. Though st. Thomas Aquinas explains that one need not have a natural inclination for the religious life; on the contrary, a Divine vocation is suitable with a natural dislike for that state.

Wow I tell you when God answers he does so in the strangest ways I know this list was meant for another but I have experenced all of the above and yes even the last one In the form of not feeling worthy to this life I now must live. It has become a devotion. Thank you for writing this I can tell God hand was in this. As I said it gave me further confirmation. God bless you and may the Lords peace continue to be with you always.

 

[PhilomenaJohn2]

pathsoflove.com/texts/alphonsus.html

Signs of a Religious Vocation

1. A desire to have a religious vocation, together with the impression that God is calling one to His service. This desire is generally most strongly felt when the soul is calm.
2. A growing attraction for prayer and holy things in general, together with a longing for a hidden life and a desire to be more closely united to God.
3. A conviction of the emptiness of the world and of its insufficiency to satisfy the soul. This feeling is often strongest in the midst of worldly amusements.
4. A longing to sacrifice oneself and abandon all for the love of Jesus Christ.
5. A longing for God’s glory, a realization of the value of immortal souls, and a desire to cooperate in their salvation.
6. A willingness to be received in any capacity is a proof of a real vocation.
7. The happiness which the thought of religious life brings, its helps, its peace, its merit and reward.
8. A desire to atone for sin, to make reparation.
9. A desire to devote one’s whole life to obtain the conversion of souls.
10. It is sometimes the sign of a vocation when a person fears that God may call him; when he prays not to have it and cannot banish the thought from his mind. if the vocation is sound, it will eventually give place to an attraction. Though st. Thomas Aquinas explains that one need not have a natural inclination for the religious life; on the contrary, a Divine vocation is suitable with a natural dislike for that state.

Lol I was at #10 for about a year

 

[Mary_Francesca]

I am so glad that this has been a help to others! These signs are for anybody who reads them. Hasn’t it really helped clear the air with questions or doubts? For me it sure has. Make sure to check out Paths of love, I wanted to post the texts on here but it was too long. Well good luck to everybody and I will be praying for you all on your path to Love, which ever way it may be!