Discerning God's Call

[Acts29]

What exactly should I be doing to discern my call? I feel called to the sisterhood, but am unsure of how to go about exploring this call. I am still in high school and living in a region dominated by Southern Baptists, so there isn’t a huge Catholic population and not many chances to “peek” into the religious life. Any suggestions for ways of discerning would be immensely helpful.

 

[RobNY]

What exactly should I be doing to discern my call? I feel called to the sisterhood, but am unsure of how to go about exploring this call. I am still in high school and living in a region dominated by Southern Baptists, so there isn’t a huge Catholic population and not many chances to “peek” into the religious life. Any suggestions for ways of discerning would be immensely helpful.

Prayer, basically.

If you feel called, then praying never hurts. In fact, even if you aren’t called, prayer is still essential.

One Dominican priest I was talking to was very proud of the Dominican nuns (the second order Dominicans). These nuns, he says, are like the heart of the order. Although they are completely cloistered they give life to the order through their prayers. Of course, there are Dominican sisters who aren’t cloistered, and likewise for most orders, but prayer is still the essential part. It gives us the energy to go out and do God’s work.

And when I say prayer, I also mean, becoming holier.

I’d also recommend reading from the lives of famous nuns.

Have you ever read St. Therese of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul? I’m probably about half-way through it now… and it is simply one of the most sincere, beautiful things I’ve ever read. If you haven’t read it… I really think you should.

And after that… well, I haven’t read this one, but I hear St. Teresa of Avila’s autobiography is also excellent-- in fact, St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, or Edith Stein, converted after reading it.

Finally, St. Faustina has become very popular lately, and I’ve heard her, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” is very moving.

First things first, though, and Therese the little flower is a read you shouldn’t miss.

-Rob

P.S. Look at the different orders, i.e., Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican, etc., and learn about their different work and charisms. Don’t be afraid to email them and ask them for more information, or about times you can visit (if there are any near you). Also, don’t automatically discount an order that you might not think you like now-- perhaps as you grow in Christ you’ll find yourself drawn to it. God bless!

 

[Acts29]

Rob,
Thanks for your reply. I have notified and talked to my parish priest and he is extremely helpful and encouraging. I am thinking about doing a “Come and See” program at a Carmelite convent down in Little Rock, but I don’t know when their next one would be. I will email them and find out though.
I do understand that prayer is key in any vocation. Amazingly enough, though, I find praying difficult and often become distracted. I realize I must work through the distractions because a closer relationship with God is well worth it.
By the way, I am currently reading the Diary of St. Faustina. It is helpful because it reminds me to put God’s will way ahead of mine, although I often fail at that. I will try praying more, reading more, and emailing the convent in Little Rock.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[navidad]

Hi Acts29,
Sounds like you are in the right track. Just don’t be discouraged about difficulties with prayer and distractions, just offer them up and that’s excellent prayer too, and humbling prayer because we don’t see we are doing a great thing. And yet it works and strengthens us through time.
Blessings to you. I’ll be praying for your vocation, fidelity and perseverance. Peace!

 

[Soldier4Christ]

I am in somewhat of a similar situation as you. I also am discerning a vocation to life as a nun or sister, and wasn’t initially sure how to go about it, especially since I am in the military and though there are priests, there are no women religious. But I did talk to a deacon and a priest and got some good advice and also references to others to talk to. But I also am now in the stage where I am trying to find out what kind of order I am called to, which is difficult because there are so many. Not all orders have e-mail addresses, but you should at least be able to find a mailing address for any that doesn’t on the Internet. I’ve been e-mailing and writing, asking any questions. At first I thought I was called to missionary work, and I may be, but now I think I might possibly be drawn to cloistered life. So check out all options. I also recently had some problems with constantly being distracted during prayer or while trying to read Scripture. I did get some good advice though. First off, always say a prayer of thanksgiving anytime you see fit. If you do this a lot, it will help you be more aware that Jesus is always with you. Any little thing, like seeing a beautiful sunset or something, is God’s work. Getting used to doing that just kind of helps feel God’s presence, and offers a short prayer even though you may not be able to concentrate while say, praying a rosary or something. Also, before prayer, reading Scripture, or Mass, pray to the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit is a good one, or just your own words. “Holy Spirit, come be with me.” “Lord, make haste to help me,” from the divine office. Also, reading St. John of the Cross or St. Teresa of Avila would be good, they both explain how God is at work in us. Just be persistent and don’t give up. This helped me.

 

[Acts29]

Thanks so much Soldier. Also, thanks for your gift to our country. I have started to notice God more in my day-to-day life, and make a point to pray for something the minute I think about it. This helps me to stay focused. I have started to wonder if I should search for the right order or if I should just wait and let it “fall on my plate” if you will. I’m going to be a senior in high school and I don’t even know if God wants me to live the religious life. So I’m wondering if I should just wait and see what happens or if I should prepare myself for the religious life by seeing what order I’m called to. I’m thinking about just letting things fall where they may that way I’ll know it was God’s doing and not my own.

Navidad: Thanks for the prayers because I need all the help I can get!!!